Associations between consumption of unsafe fish dishes and knowledge about opisthorchis viverrini infection in Southern Laos

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Khamphanavanh Saiyachak
Peter Bradshaw
Sutthiporn Tongsotsang
Thitima Saenrueang
Supannee Promthet

Abstract

Infection by the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, poses a serious public health problem in many areas of the Lower Mekong Basin, where there is a powerful cultural habit of eating unsafely prepared fish dishes. High prevalence of the infection are common in the central and southern regions of the Lao PDR. Attempts to control infection rates have often relied heavily on health education to improve knowledge about the infection. The aim of this cross-sectional analytical study was to test the assumed association between this knowledge and the habit of eating these unsafe dishes in a province of the Lao PDR, where the infection is endemic. The knowledge of randomly selected residents from a large number of villages in Khammouane Province was assessed using a structured interview questionnaire. They were asked about their consumption of various unsafe fish dishes during the past year. Associations between the reported consumption of these dishes and knowledge about Opisthorchis viverrini infection were analysed using logistic regression. Apart from knowing that eating uncooked fish with alcohol does not prevent infection, none of their knowledge was found to be associated with the consumption of these unsafe dishes, and overall, their knowledge was unrelated to the problem. There has been a dearth of studies on this important issue, especially in the Lao PDR, and further research is necessary. However, if the finding are replicated, serious doubts should be raised about the rationale and effectiveness of the current education programmes, and an alternative educational strategy is suggested.


 

Article Details

How to Cite
Saiyachak, K., Bradshaw, P., Tongsotsang, S., Saenrueang, T., & Promthet, S. (2017). Associations between consumption of unsafe fish dishes and knowledge about opisthorchis viverrini infection in Southern Laos. Asia-Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, 22(4), APST–22. https://doi.org/10.14456/apst.2017.30
Section
Research Articles

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