Mothers\u2019 Opisthorchis viverrini infection status and raw fish dish consumption in Lao People\u2019s Democratic Republic: determinants of child infection status

Hitomi Araki,Masamine Jimba,Akira Shibanuma,Moritoshi Iwagami,Shigeyuki Kano,Pheovaly Soundala,Bouasy Hongvanthong,Paul T Brey,Lavy Lorphachan,Ken Ing Cherng Ong

doi:10.1186/s41182-018-0112-y

Hitomi Araki, Masamine Jimba + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-018-0112-y

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundOpisthorchis viverrini (Ov) infection is one of the foodborne trematodiases, which is highly endemic in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR). The infection occurs especially when people eat raw fish containing Ov metacercariae. As eating raw fish is a traditional culture in Lao PDR, changing this behavior is difficult. A new approach is necessary to control Ov infection because people easily get re-infected even after taking praziquantel unless they change their behaviors. This study aimed to explore factors associated with Ov infection among children and to identify the existing behaviors and perception that might contribute to the control of Ov infection in Lao PDR. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Yommalath district, Khammouane province, in Lao PDR in August and September 2015. In this cross-sectional study, we used a semi-structured questionnaire and interviewed 348 mothers who had a child aged 5–15 years. We also collected the fecal samples from each mother-child pair and used the Kato-Katz method (three slides/sample) to detect Ov eggs.ResultsOf 284 children, 82.8% were infected with Ov. The children were more likely to be infected with Ov when their mothers were infected with Ov (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 10.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.13–34.86) or when their mothers liked raw fish dishes (AOR 2.47, 95% CI 1.07–5.69). Even though most mothers are primarily in charge of cooking family meals, fathers were also involved in the preparation of raw fish dishes.ConclusionThis study suggests that a new approach to control Ov infection should target families or communities, rather than children only. Cooking or food preparation behaviors should be investigated in more depth.

Highlights

Opisthorchis viverrini (Ov) infection is one of the foodborne trematodiases, which is highly endemic in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR)
It is endemic in countries along the Mekong River basin, especially in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) and northeast Thailand, where 10 million people are infected with Ov [1]
In Lao PDR, almost half of the population is infected with Ov foodborne trematodiases, which often results in disability at the later

Summary

Introduction

Opisthorchis viverrini (Ov) infection is one of the foodborne trematodiases, which is highly endemic in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR). As eating raw fish is a traditional culture in Lao PDR, changing this behavior is difficult. Opisthorchis viverrini (Ov) infection is one of the neglected diseases categorized as a foodborne trematode infection It is endemic in countries along the Mekong River basin, especially in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) and northeast Thailand, where 10 million people are infected with Ov [1]. In Lao PDR, almost half of the population is infected with Ov foodborne trematodiases, which often results in disability at the later In those Ov-endemic areas, it was found that people have been eating raw fish dishes as part of their traditional culture [5, 6]. The common preventive measure is to avoid eating raw fish and to cook the fish properly; this behavioral change is difficult because eating raw fish is a practice deeply

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion