Uncooked fish consumption among those at risk of Opisthorchis viverrini infection in central Thailand.
In contrast to northern and northeastern Thailand, central Thailand was believed not to be endemic for Opisthorchis viverrini (OV). Fieldwork conducted in a rural area of central Thailand revealed that the prevalence and incidence were relatively high compared with regional average data. We hypothes...
Main Authors: | , , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2019-01-01
|
Series: | PLoS ONE |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211540 |
id |
doaj-a8df64979deb4d1eba2c9aee10deb557 |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-a8df64979deb4d1eba2c9aee10deb5572021-03-04T12:39:06ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032019-01-01141e021154010.1371/journal.pone.0211540Uncooked fish consumption among those at risk of Opisthorchis viverrini infection in central Thailand.Picha SuwannahitatornJoanne WebsterSteven RileyMathirut MungthinChristl A DonnellyIn contrast to northern and northeastern Thailand, central Thailand was believed not to be endemic for Opisthorchis viverrini (OV). Fieldwork conducted in a rural area of central Thailand revealed that the prevalence and incidence were relatively high compared with regional average data. We hypothesized that the behavioural-psycho-social background of the study population might play an important role in the high burden of the infection. As a result, a qualitative study was conducted to highlight potential social determinants of the infection dynamics to gain greater understanding of the risk behaviours and their contexts. A qualitative study using focus group discussion and in-depth interviews was conducted in Na-ngam Village, Chachoengsao Province from 2012-14. Framework analysis was used to explore associations between infection and thematic content. Social influence showed a strong impact on infection dynamics of OV infection. Our results revealed that Koi pla (chopped raw fish salad) remains a popular dish in the community, as the dish itself represents northeastern culture. The cultural norm had been transferred from ancestors to their descendants. Some elders complained that discontinuing the consumption of Koi pla went against old traditions with respect to cultural norms and socialization. In contrast, modern education teaches about hygiene including OV infection risks, and accordingly teenagers and young adults were reported to modify their lifestyles including their eating habits. Children are a potential key to pass knowledge to their parents and school-based education programs can serve as a practical hub for knowledge dissemination. However, health education alone might not lead to behavioural change in other age groups. Therefore, more efforts are needed to support the transformation.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211540 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Picha Suwannahitatorn Joanne Webster Steven Riley Mathirut Mungthin Christl A Donnelly |
spellingShingle |
Picha Suwannahitatorn Joanne Webster Steven Riley Mathirut Mungthin Christl A Donnelly Uncooked fish consumption among those at risk of Opisthorchis viverrini infection in central Thailand. PLoS ONE |
author_facet |
Picha Suwannahitatorn Joanne Webster Steven Riley Mathirut Mungthin Christl A Donnelly |
author_sort |
Picha Suwannahitatorn |
title |
Uncooked fish consumption among those at risk of Opisthorchis viverrini infection in central Thailand. |
title_short |
Uncooked fish consumption among those at risk of Opisthorchis viverrini infection in central Thailand. |
title_full |
Uncooked fish consumption among those at risk of Opisthorchis viverrini infection in central Thailand. |
title_fullStr |
Uncooked fish consumption among those at risk of Opisthorchis viverrini infection in central Thailand. |
title_full_unstemmed |
Uncooked fish consumption among those at risk of Opisthorchis viverrini infection in central Thailand. |
title_sort |
uncooked fish consumption among those at risk of opisthorchis viverrini infection in central thailand. |
publisher |
Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
series |
PLoS ONE |
issn |
1932-6203 |
publishDate |
2019-01-01 |
description |
In contrast to northern and northeastern Thailand, central Thailand was believed not to be endemic for Opisthorchis viverrini (OV). Fieldwork conducted in a rural area of central Thailand revealed that the prevalence and incidence were relatively high compared with regional average data. We hypothesized that the behavioural-psycho-social background of the study population might play an important role in the high burden of the infection. As a result, a qualitative study was conducted to highlight potential social determinants of the infection dynamics to gain greater understanding of the risk behaviours and their contexts. A qualitative study using focus group discussion and in-depth interviews was conducted in Na-ngam Village, Chachoengsao Province from 2012-14. Framework analysis was used to explore associations between infection and thematic content. Social influence showed a strong impact on infection dynamics of OV infection. Our results revealed that Koi pla (chopped raw fish salad) remains a popular dish in the community, as the dish itself represents northeastern culture. The cultural norm had been transferred from ancestors to their descendants. Some elders complained that discontinuing the consumption of Koi pla went against old traditions with respect to cultural norms and socialization. In contrast, modern education teaches about hygiene including OV infection risks, and accordingly teenagers and young adults were reported to modify their lifestyles including their eating habits. Children are a potential key to pass knowledge to their parents and school-based education programs can serve as a practical hub for knowledge dissemination. However, health education alone might not lead to behavioural change in other age groups. Therefore, more efforts are needed to support the transformation. |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211540 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT pichasuwannahitatorn uncookedfishconsumptionamongthoseatriskofopisthorchisviverriniinfectionincentralthailand AT joannewebster uncookedfishconsumptionamongthoseatriskofopisthorchisviverriniinfectionincentralthailand AT stevenriley uncookedfishconsumptionamongthoseatriskofopisthorchisviverriniinfectionincentralthailand AT mathirutmungthin uncookedfishconsumptionamongthoseatriskofopisthorchisviverriniinfectionincentralthailand AT christladonnelly uncookedfishconsumptionamongthoseatriskofopisthorchisviverriniinfectionincentralthailand |
_version_ |
1714802057126346752 |