Abstract. A cross-sectional study was performed to determine the prevalence of giardiasis in hilltribe children of 2 different remote districts (Mae-chaem and Hod), Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand from November 2006-April 2007. The overall prevalence of giardiasis was 5.2%. Genetic characterization of Giardia duodenalis isolated from these children was performed using PCR methods specific for small subunit ribosomal rRNA (SSU-rRNA) and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) gene. This study shows that the distribution of Giardia assemblages varied in these 2 populations. Assemblage BIV was found predominantly in children from Hod District while assemblage AII was more common in children from Mae-Chaem District. Our result showed that assemblage A was significantly associated with loose/watery stool (p= 0.001). In addition, children harbouring assemblage B had shed a significantly higher number of cysts (p= 0.019) in stools than those infected with assemblage A. Further study on the epidemiology of giardiasis especially risk factors associated with genotyping would help to understand the nature of this disease in each population.

Head-lice infestation, pediculosis capitis, remains a public-health burden in many countries. The widely used first-line pediculicides and alternative treatments are often too costly for use in poor socio-economic settings. Ivermectin has been considered an alternate treatment for field practice. This study was composed of 2 parts, a cross-sectional survey and an intervention study. The main objectives were to determine the prevalence and potential factors associated with head-lice infestation, and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral ivermectin administration. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 890 villagers in rural areas along Thai-Myanmar border. Females with infestations were eligible for the intervention study, and 181 participated in the intervention study. A post-treatment survey was conducted to assess acceptance of ivermectin as a treatment choice. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and a generalized-estimation-equation model adjusted for cluster effect. The study revealed the prevalence of head-lice infestation was 50% among females and only 3% among males. Age stratification showed a high prevalence among females aged <20 years, and among 50% of female school-children. The prevalence was persistent among those with a history of infestation. The major risk factors were residing in a setting with other infected cases, and sharing a hair comb. The study also confirmed that ivermectin was safe and effective for field-based practice. It was considered a preferable treatment option. In conclusion, behavior-change communication should be implemented to reduce the observed high prevalence of head-lice infestation. Ivermectin may be an alternative choice for head-lice treatment, especially in remote areas.
Animals ; Comb and Wattles ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Ivermectin ; Lice Infestations ; Male ; Pediculus ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Rural Health ; Statistics as Topic ; Thailand

The aim of the present study was to investigate antimalarial drug pressure resulting from the clinical use of different antimalarials in Thailand. The phenotypic diversity of the susceptibility profiles of antimalarials, i.e., chloroquine (CQ), quinine (QN), mefloquine (MQ), and artesunate (ARS) in Plasmodium falciparum isolates collected during the period from 1988 to 2003 were studied. P. falciparum isolates from infected patients were collected from the Thai-Cambodian border area at different time periods (1988-1989, 1991-1992, and 2003), during which 3 different patterns of drug use had been implemented: MQ + sulphadoxine (S) + pyrimethamine (P), MQ alone and MQ + ARS, respectively. The in vitro drug susceptibilities were investigated using a method based on the incorporation of [3H] hypoxanthine. A total of 50 isolates were tested for susceptibilities to CQ, QN, MQ, and ARS. Of these isolates, 19, 16, and 15 were adapted during the periods 1988-1989, 1991-1993, and 2003, respectively. P. falciparum isolates collected during the 3 periods were resistant to CQ. Sensitivities to MQ declined from 1988 to 2003. In contrast, the parasite was sensitive to QN, and similar sensitivity profile patterns were observed during the 3 time periods. There was a significantly positive but weak correlation between the IC50 values of CQ and QN, as well as between the IC50 values of QN and MQ. Drug pressure has impact on sensitivity of P. falciparum to MQ. A combination therapy of MQ and ARS is being applied to reduce the parasite resistance, and also increasing the efficacy of the drug.
Animals ; Antimalarials/*pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Artemisinins/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Chloroquine/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; *Drug Resistance ; Humans ; Malaria/drug therapy/*parasitology ; Mefloquine/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Parasitic Sensitivity Tests/methods ; Plasmodium falciparum/*drug effects/isolation & purification ; Quinine/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Thailand

PURPOSE: Information about overweight and obesity among students in rural areas of Thailand is limited. Therefore, we aimed to determine overweight and obesity prevalences and associated factors among school-aged children in a rural community of Thailand. METHODS: We selected 9 public schools through cluster sampling in 2 provinces located in central Thailand in 2016. Anthropometric measurements were measured using standard techniques, classified as overweight (>1 standard deviation [SD]) and obese (>2 SD) with respect to their age and sex using 2007 World Health Organization reference charts. Standardized questionnaires on risk factors were sent to parents to be completed together with their child. RESULTS: Among 1,749 students, 8.98% had overweight and 7.26% had obesity. Mean age (range) was 11.5 years (5–18 years). Independent factors associated with overweight and obesity included primary school student (reference as secondary school) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24–4.08; P=0.07), mother's body mass index (aOR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02–1.12; P=0.001), self-employed father (aOR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.12–3.55; P=0.018), number of siblings (aOR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47–0.81; P=0.001), having sibling(s) with obesity (aOR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.20–2.77; P=0.005), more than one (aOR, 7.16; 95% CI, 2.40–21.32; P<0.001), consuming 2–3 ladles of rice/meal (aOR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.38–3.32; P=0.001), consuming >3 ladles of rice/meal (aOR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.11–6.46; P=0.27), watching <2 hours of television/day (aOR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.19–4.01; P=0.012), and watching >2 hours of television/day (aOR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.36–4.96; P=0.004). CONCLUSION: Many sociodemographic, dietary, and behavioral factors were related to overweight and obesity among school-aged children not only in urban but also rural communities of Thailand.
Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Fathers ; Humans ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Overweight ; Parents ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Siblings ; Thailand ; World Health Organization