Risk behaviors and prevention behaviors of liver fluke infection: Situation assessment based on community context of Thai-Khmer people in Sisaket Province

Abstract

Liver fluke is a major public health problem in Thailand. It is the main cause of cholangiocarcinoma. Liver fluke infection is spread in people of all age groups and occupations in the northeast region, which is the region with diversity in arts, culture and traditions in each locality. These arts and culture are the indicators of the beliefs, values and ways of life of the local people. The reason that this region is diverse in arts and culture may be the result of being the center of multi-ethnic populations. Sisaket Province is classified as a multicultural society. There 4 ethnic groups, namely Laos, Khmer, Suay (Kui) and Yer. Each ethnic group has their own beliefs, values and ways of life that are unique, so each ethnic group may have different risk behaviors and liver fluke prevention behaviors. Therefore, the study of risk behaviors and prevention behaviors of liver fluke infection in the community context of Thai-Khmer people in Sisaket Province will be used as the information for organizing further health education program for behavior modification.

This was cross-sectional research conducted from February to May 2018. Data were collected from people living in the community of Thai-Khmer people in Sisaket Province. The questionnaire on risk behaviors and prevention behaviors of liver fluke infection created by the researcher was used. The reliability of the whole questionnaire was 0.93. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, namely frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation.         

The results showed that the risk behaviors for liver fluke infection of most people were eating Pla Jom (fermented and sour fish)/raw fish, allowing dogs/cats to eat raw fish and eating papaya salad with raw fermented fish. In addition, some family members still defecated in the rice fields. Although the result of the assessment of liver fluke prevention behaviors of the majority of people was at a high level (76.40%), the results of the survey of liver fluke infection revealed that the average prevalence of liver fluke infection was 17.02%, which exceeded the standard set by the Ministry of Public Health of not over 5%. Therefore, this research is important for the assessment of the situation of the spread of the disease and recognizing the causes of risk behaviors for liver fluke infection of people in the area. It can be also utilized in the planning of public health operations in the future.