The role of university’s social engagement in preventing opisthorchiasis and cholangiocarcinoma under the area-based research project of Faculty of Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University

Abstract

Opisthorchiasis and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remain major public health problems and threats to the health of people in the Northeast, Thailand since the people in this region have risky health behaviors of having opisthorchiasis from consumption of raw or half-cooked fish. According to the cancer registry data of National Cancer Institute, it is reported that in Ubon Ratchathani, the incidence rates of opisthorchiasis and CCA are likely to increase for both male and female. Therefore, it is necessary to deal with these problems for a substantial reduction. One approach which is a choice that works well is to prevent opisthorchiasis and CCA by the role of university’s social engagement with the integration of teaching, conducting research and community academic service. In this study, the university was set as the center of academic support. The school and the community were involved in dealing with these issues on their own. For the research conduction, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. It started by studying the prevalence of the risk factors, the level of knowledge, health beliefs and involvement of community from the public. The risk factors associated with CCA and factors related to the community participation for CCA prevention were also studied. The results were presented to community representatives at a meeting of community to determine the model or project on the prevention and control of opisthorchiasis and CCA. The plan from this study is likely to be successful and sustainable because personnel and resources within community were integrated in the issue.