Factors Predicting the Opisthorchiasis Prevention and Control among Village Health Volunteers in Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

This analytical cross-sectional research aimed to examine factors predicting prevention and control of liver fluke disease among village health volunteers (VHV), Ubon Ratchathani province. The samples were 374 VHV from Ubon Ratchathani province. The data were collected using a questionnaire created by the researcher during June 1, 2021 and April 30, 2022, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using multiple regression analysis. The results showed that factors influencing prevention and control of liver fluke disease among VHV included 5 factors: personal factors, supports from their organizations, supports from their families, getting work recognitions from their communities, leaders, and public health professionals, whether they have received training for their works including receiving trusts from their communities to work as leaders in the prevention and control of liver fluke disease. These factors could jointly explain the variation of factors affecting the prevention and control of liver fluke disease among VHV at 11.40 percent (R²=0.114, R²_adj=0.102, SE_est=3.59, F= 9.540, p<0.001). The findings could lead to the development of a model for controlling and preventing liver Fluke disease using partners’ participations from all sectors with supports from local governments in budget and management of the sanitation system. These would lead to innovations in the community that can cut the cycle of liver fluke disease in the community and can be expanded to other areas.