The factors associated with helminthic infection among people at Bo Kluea District, Nan Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the situation of helminthiasis and the risk factors correlated to parasitic infection among people in Bo Kluea district, Nan province. By applying the research methods developed by the Department of Diseases Control, Modified Kato Katz technique for stool examination and questionnaire for risk behaviors survey were conducted. Data were collected during January to March, 2019. A total of 271 people aged one year and over lived in Bo Kluea district were sampling by multi-stage technique. Data analysis using mean, standard deviations for descriptive statistic whereas Chi-square and Adjusted Odds ratio were used for hypothesis testing. The results showed that the overall prevalence of helminthiasis was 58.7%. Regarding species identification based on egg morphology found in stool specimens, most of them were Opisthorchis viverrini 26.9% followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (21.4%), Hookworm and Taenia sp. (4.1% each). The subjects reported high risk behaviors to get infected with O. viverrini (84.6%), A. lumbricoides (63.8%) and Taenia species (54.6%) respectively. The subjects who were at risk of consuming uncooked freshwater fishes had an infected chance of O. viverrini at 3.1 times of the healthy behavior groups (Odds ratio 3.1, 95%CI 1.4-6.9). The subjects who were at risk of eating unclean vegetables and fruits had an infected chance of A. lumbricoides at 5.4 times of the healthy behavior group. (Odds ratio 5.4, 95%CI 2.7-10.7). Among people living in Bo Kluea community, their risk behaviors could indicate the feasibility of parasitic infection among the Bo Kluea people. Therefore, health learning process should be introduced, especially health communication in term of health safety menus which should be prioritized and concerned, for building knowledge and perception regarding parasitic prevention behavior.