Prevalence and risk behaviors of liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini infection in people in 5 villages of Na Wiang Sub-district health promoting hospital, Samo Subdistrict, Prangku District, Sisaket Province

Abstract

The analytical cross-sectional research conducted in five villages of Na Wiang Health Promoting Hospital, Samo Sub-district, Prangku District, Sisaket Province aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk behavior associated with Opisthorchis viverrini liver fluke infection among 347 individuals. The data collection took place in February 2023, utilizing a researcher-created questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the data, presenting frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, median, and 25th and 75th percentiles. Furthermore, binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the factors influencing liver fluke infection. Multiple logistic regression analysis was utilized to examine the factors associated with liver fluke infection, considering various variables simultaneously. The study identified several significant findings. Firstly, the presence of a family member infected with liver fluke increased the likelihood of being infected with the liver fluke by 8.71 times compared to families without any infected members (AOR=8.71, 95%CI=1.35-55.87). This indicates a strong association between familial infection and individual infection risk. Secondly, individuals with a low risk perception of liver fluke infection were found to be 40.85 times more likely to be infected compared to those with a high risk perception (AOR=40.85, 95%CI=1.68-98.39). This suggests that individuals who underestimate the risk of liver fluke infection are more susceptible to contracting the disease. Lastly, individuals with poor liver fluke prevention behavior were 31.54 times more likely to be infected compared to those with good prevention behavior (AOR=31.54, 95%CI=3.46-287.01). This highlights the importance of adopting effective preventive measures to reduce the risk of liver fluke infection. Based on these findings, the study emphasizes the need to focus on factors influencing the prevention of Opisthorchis viverrini liver fluke infection among the population in the five villages of Na Wiang Health Promoting Hospital, Samo Sub-district, Prangku District, Sisaket Province. Strategies should be implemented to raise risk perception, promote proper prevention behaviors, and address familial infections to mitigate the prevalence of liver fluke infection in the studied area.