Social Influence in Liver Fluke Transmission

Abstract

In northeastern Thai (Isaan) culture traditional raw fish dishes and raw fish-eating habits are common. Eating and sharing meals together among the community's members, especially relatives and neighbours, are a common practice in both daily life and social gathering events. Fish are a significant protein source and are associated with variety of traditional recipes. Cyprinid fish are one of the most preferred fish by Isaan villagers for daily consumption because they are accessible and affordable. Consumption of these fish probably causes the persistence of high endemicity of human liver fluke infection, particularly with Opisthorchis viverrini, in northeast Thailand. Because the consumption of raw cyprinid fish is a well-documented risk factor for liver fluke infection, sharing of risky raw fish dishes may influence disease transmission through a community. Social network analysis was used to investigate fish and fish-based meal sharing among household members in Isaan villages in liver fluke endemic areas. The findings from three studies confirmed the persistence of traditional Isaan raw fish consumption and food-sharing practice. Social connections via food sharing among villagers played an important role in liver fluke infection and transmission dynamics as a risk factor. Thus these sociocultural factors should be taken into account in designing strategies for control of opisthorchiasis and other food-borne illnesses at the community level.

Model-based spatial-temporal mapping of opisthorchiasis in endemic countries of Southeast Asia

“…Humans and other carnivores (e.g., cats and dogs), the final hosts, become infected by consuming raw or insufficiently cooked infected fish ( Andrews et al, 2008 ; Saijuntha et al, 2014 ). Behavioral, environmental, and socioeconomic factors affect the transmission of O. viverrini ( Grundy-Warr et al, 2012 , Phimpraphai et al, 2017 , Phimpraphai et al, 2018 , Prueksapanich et al, 2018 ). Raw or insufficiently cooked fish consumption is the cultural root in endemic countries, showing a strong relationship with the occurrence of the disease ( Andrews et al, 2008 ; Grundy-Warr et al, 2012 ).…”

Examining ecosystem (dis-)services on liver fluke infection in rural Northeast Thailand

“…The deeply imbedded raw food culture in the Isan community has been underscored as the main driver for persistent raw fish consumption [ 33 ]. However, with globalization and urbanization, food choices for the rural communities are expanding; other convenient sources of protein from fast food and instant food are becoming more accessible and common in daily household diets [ 34 , 42 ]. Traditional raw fish dishes may no longer be the main protein source and are consumed more so for cultural and social functions.…”

“…In addition to individual’s consumption habit and perception towards traditional raw fish dishes, social interactions in the community may affect an individual’s exposure to disease risk [ 42 , 45 , 46 ]. The use of social network analysis illustrates the extents and connections of raw fish dish sharing, and how these interactions might potentially contribute to the varied human O. viverrini prevalence in the two villages.…”

Food Choices and Hypertension Among Rural Thais: Evidence From a Discrete Choice Experiment

“…In rural Thailand, extended families are common in which three generations often live together [60], and thus dietary habits are likely to be shared within the family [61]. Cooking, eating, and sharing a combination of dishes among family members and relatives are typical practices among Thais [62], leading to unawareness of overconsumption of sodium. Therefore, public health educational programs may pivot to consider cultural sensitivity focusing on daily habits.…”