Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and associated risk factors among village health volunteers in rural communities of southern Thailand

Authors: Chuchard Punsawad, Nonthapan Phasuk, Suchirat Bunratsami, Kanjana Thongtup, Niramon Siripakonuaong, Somchok Nongnaul

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2017

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Intestinal parasitic infections remain prevalent and constitute a public health problem in certain rural areas of Thailand. Village health volunteers (VHVs), who are members of a Thai healthcare alliance, function as key providers of health prevention measures, disease control, and health education and share national health promotion campaigns with community members. This study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence, intensity, and risk factors for intestinal parasitic infection in VHVs in order to design community awareness and health education campaigns for the target population.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted between January to April 2016 among village health volunteers (VHVs) from four sub-districts of Nopphitam District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, southern Thailand. Subjects for the study were selected using a simple random sampling method. Socio-demographic variables and risk factors were collected by a structured questionnaire. Stool specimens were collected and processed using direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques to determine the presence of parasites and modified Kato-Katz thick smear to determine the intensity of infection.

Results

A total of 324 VHVs were enrolled. The overall prevalence of intestinal helminths was 9.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.3–13.0). The prevalence of hookworm, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Trichuris trichiura were 8.0% (95% CI: 5.3–11.5), 0.9% (95% CI: 0.2–2.7), and 0.3% (95% CI: 0–1.7), respectively. Mean intensity of hookworm infection was 1732 eggs per gram of stool. The prevalence was lower for protozoan infection than for helminth infection. Blastocystis hominis accounted for the highest percentage of intestinal protozoan infections 4.0% (95% CI: 2.2–6.8), followed by Giardia intestinalis 0.6% (95% CI: 0–2.2). No statistically significant difference was observed in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among sub-districts (p > 0.05). Having dogs at home was associated with soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection in study participants (Crude prevalence ratio [CPR]: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.0–5.2).

Conclusions

This study is the first to describe the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection VHVs from southern Thailand. Hookworm infection is more prevalent than other types of STH infection. The development of community awareness campaigns and appropriate control measures should be considered to reduce the prevalence of hookworm infection, especially among VHVs who are the key persons providing health education to the community.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
2.
Wongsaroj T, Nithikathkul C, Rojkitikul W, Nakaia W, Royal L, Rammasut P. National survey of helminthiasis in Thailand. Asian Biomed. 2014;8:779–83.
3.
Boonjaraspinyo S, Boonmars T, Kaewsamut B, Ekobol N, Laummaunwai P, Aukkanimart R, et al. A cross-sectional study on intestinal parasitic infections in rural communities, northeast Thailand. Korean J Parasitol. 2013;51:727–34.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
4.
Jiraanankul V, Aphijirawat W, Mungthin M, Khositnithikul R, Rangsin R, Traub RJ, et al. Incidence and risk factors of hookworm infection in a rural community of central Thailand. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2011;84:594–8.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
5.
Kitvatanachai S, Boonslip S, Watanasatitarpa S. Intestinal parasitic infections in Srimum suburban area of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. Trop Biomed. 2008;25:237–42.PubMed
6.
Anantaphruti MT, Jongsuksuntigul P, Imsomboon T, Nagai N, Muennoo C, Saguankiat S, Pubampen S, Kojima S: School-based helminthiases control: I. A baseline study of soil-transmitted helminthiases in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 2002; 33 Suppl 3:113–119.
7.
Anantaphruti MT, Maipanich W, Muennoo C, Pubampen S, Sanguankiat S. Hookworm infections of schoolchildren in southern Thailand. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2002;33:468–73.PubMed
8.
Kowitt SD, Emmerling D, Fisher EB, Tanasugarn C. Community health workers as agents of health promotion: analyzing Thailand's village health volunteer program. J Community Health. 2015;40:780–8.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Katz N, Chaves A, Pellegrino J. A simple device for quantitative stool thick-smear technique in Schistosomiasis mansoni. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 1972;14:397–400.PubMed
10.
11.
Sheehan DJ, Raucher BG, McKitrick JC. Association of Blastocystis hominis with signs and symptoms of human disease. J Clin Microbiol. 1986;24:548–50.PubMedPubMedCentral
12.
Slifko TR, Smith HV, Rose JB. Emerging parasite zoonoses associated with water and food. Int J Parasitol. 2000;30:1379–93.CrossRefPubMed
13.
Bethony J, Brooker S, Albonico M, Geiger SM, Loukas A, Diemert D, et al. Soil-transmitted helminth infections: ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm. Lancet. 2006;367:1521–32.CrossRefPubMed
14.
Pullan RL, Smith JL, Jasrasaria R, Brooker SJ. Global numbers of infection and disease burden of soil transmitted helminth infections in 2010. Parasit Vectors. 2014;7:37.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
15.
Wegayehu T, Tsalla T, Seifu B, Teklu T. Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among highland and lowland dwellers in Gamo area. South Ethiopia BMC Public Health. 2013;13:151.CrossRefPubMed
16.
Anuar TS, Salleh FM, Moktar N. Soil-transmitted helminth infections and associated risk factors in three orang Asli tribes in peninsular Malaysia. Sci Rep. 2014;4:4101.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
17.
Ngui R, Aziz S, Chua KH, Aidil RM, Lee SC, Tan TK, et al. Patterns and risk factors of soil-transmitted helminthiasis among orang Asli subgroups in peninsular Malaysia. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2015;93:361–70.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
18.
Khieu V, Schar F, Forrer A, Hattendorf J, Marti H, Duong S, et al. High prevalence and spatial distribution of Strongyloides stercoralis in rural Cambodia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014;8:e2854.
19.
Khieu V, Schar F, Marti H, Bless PJ, Char MC, Muth S, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of Strongyloides stercoralis in Takeo Province. Cambodia Parasit Vectors. 2014;7:221.
20.
Shumbej T, Belay T, Mekonnen Z, Tefera T, Zemene E. Soil-transmitted helminths and associated factors among pre-school children in Butajira town. South-Central Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study PLoS One. 2015;10:e0136342.PubMed
21.
Abossie A, Seid M. Assessment of the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and associated risk factors among primary school children in Chencha town. Southern Ethiopia BMC Public Health. 2014;14:166.CrossRefPubMed
22.
Hotez PJ, Brindley PJ, Bethony JM, King CH, Pearce EJ, Jacobson J. Helminth infections: the great neglected tropical diseases. J Clin Invest. 2008;118:1311–21.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
23.
Hotez PJ, Bundy DAP, Beegle K, Brooker S, Drake L, de Silva N, et al. Helminth infections: soil-transmitted helminth infections and schistosomiasis. In: Jamison DT BJ, Measham AR, et al, editors. Disease control priorities in developing countries. 2nd ed. Washington (DC): World Bank; 2006.
24.
Chongsuvivatwong V, Pas-Ong S, Ngoathammatasna W, McNeil D, Vithsupakorn K, Bridhikitti V, et al. Evaluation of hookworm control program in southern Thailand. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 1994;25:745–51.PubMed
25.
26.
Hotez PJ, Brooker S, Bethony JM, Bottazzi ME, Loukas A, Xiao S. Hookworm infection. N Engl J Med. 2004;351:799–807.CrossRefPubMed
27.
Phosuk I, Intapan PM, Thanchomnang T, Sanpool O, Janwan P, Laummaunwai P, et al. Molecular detection of Ancylostoma duodenale, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, and Necator americanus in humans in northeastern and southern Thailand. Korean J Parasitol. 2013;51:747–9.
Metadata
Title
Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and associated risk factors among village health volunteers in rural communities of southern Thailand
Authors
Chuchard Punsawad
Nonthapan Phasuk
Suchirat Bunratsami
Kanjana Thongtup
Niramon Siripakonuaong
Somchok Nongnaul
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4486-2

Other articles of this Issue 1/2017

BMC Public Health 1/2017 Go to the issue

Research article

Comparing national infectious disease surveillance systems: China and the Netherlands

Erratum

Erratum to: Trends in HIV counseling and testing uptake among married individuals in Rakai, Uganda

Research article

Adolescent alcohol use and parental and adolescent socioeconomic position in six European cities

Research article

Commissioning for health improvement following the 2012 health and social care reforms in England: what has changed?

Research article

Improving case detection of tuberculosis among children in Bangladesh: lessons learned through an implementation research

Research article

Cardiovascular disease risk factors in a Nigerian population with impaired fasting blood glucose level and diabetes mellitus