A Cross-Sectional Study on Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Rural Communities, Northeast Thailand.
10.3347/kjp.2013.51.6.727
- Author:
Sirintip BOONJARASPINYO
1
,
2
;
Thidarut BOONMARS
;
Butsara KAEWSAMUT
;
Nuttapon EKOBOL
;
Porntip LAUMMAUNWAI
;
Ratchadawan AUKKANIMART
;
Nadchanan WONKCHALEE
;
Amornrat JUASOOK
;
Pranee SRIRAJ
Author Information
1. Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002
2. Thailand.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Opisthorchis viverrini;
Strongyloides stercoralis;
Taenia sp.;
Blastocystis hominis;
echinostome;
hookworm;
intestinal parasite;
parasitosis;
prevalence;
Thailand
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Adult;
Age Factors;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Animals;
Child;
Child, Preschool;
Coinfection/epidemiology/parasitology;
Feces/parasitology;
Female;
Humans;
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/*epidemiology/*parasitology;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Parasites/*classification/*isolation & purification;
Prevalence;
Rural Population;
Sex Factors;
Thailand/epidemiology;
Young Adult
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2013;51(6):727-734
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Despite the existence of effective anthelmintics, parasitic infections remain a major public health problem in Southeast Asia, including Thailand. In rural communities, continuing infection is often reinforced by dietary habits that have a strong cultural basis and by poor personal hygiene and sanitation. This study presents a survey of the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among the people in rural Thailand. The community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in villages in Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand, from March to August 2013. A total of 253 stool samples from 102 males and 140 females, aged 2-80 years, were prepared using formalin-ethyl acetate concentration methods and examined using light microscopy. Ninety-four individuals (37.2%) were infected with 1 or more parasite species. Presence of parasitic infection was significantly correlated with gender (P=0.001); nearly half of males in this survey (49.0%) were infected. Older people had a higher prevalence than younger members of the population. The most common parasite found was Opisthorchis viverrini (26.9%), followed by Strongyloides stercoralis (9.5%), Taenia spp. (1.6%), echinostomes (0.4%), and hookworms (0.4%). The prevalence of intestinal protozoa was Blastocystis hominis 1.6%, Entamoeba histolytica 0.8%, Entamoeba coli 0.8%, Balantidium coli 0.4%, Iodamoeba butschlii 0.4%, and Sarcocystis hominis 0.4%. Co-infections of various helminths and protozoa were present in 15.9% of the people. The present results show that the prevalence of parasitic infections in this region is still high. Proactive education about dietary habits, personal hygiene, and sanitation should be provided to the people in this community to reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections. Moreover, development of policies and programs to control parasites is needed.
