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Public health interventions for preventing re‐infection of Opisthorchis viverrini : application of the self‐efficacy theory and group process in high‐prevalent areas of Thailand
Author(s) -
Songserm Nopparat,
Namwong Worawut,
Woradet Somkiattiyos,
Sripa Banchob,
Ali Akhtar
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/tmi.13598
Subject(s) - opisthorchis viverrini , public health , medicine , praziquantel , psychological intervention , self efficacy , health education , environmental health , demography , psychology , schistosomiasis , psychiatry , social psychology , immunology , nursing , helminths , liver fluke , sociology
Objective To study the effectiveness of public health interventions in preventing Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) re‐infection in high‐prevalence areas of Thailand. Methods 68 people from Sisaket, the province with the second‐highest prevalence in Thailand, who tested positive for OV eggs in faeces and took praziquantel before the start of the study, participated. 34 participants were allocated to the experimental group, which received a 12‐week public health intervention based on the self‐efficacy theory and group process between July and October 2018. The control group received the usual services. Data were collected using a questionnaire with a reliability of 0.84. Faecal examinations using the formalin‐ether concentration technique were conducted before and after the experiment. The re‐infection rate was analysed after the experimental 12 weeks and after one year. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including paired t ‐test and independent t ‐test, were employed for data analysis. Results After the experiment, the mean scores of knowledge, perceived self‐efficacy, self‐efficacy expectation and OV prevention behaviour of the experimental group were significantly higher than before the experiment and also higher than scores of the control group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion The public health intervention is useful. It educated the experimental group about OV, perceived self‐efficacy and self‐efficacy expectation in changing behaviour to prevent OV re‐infection. As a result, no re‐infections were observed after the 12‐week intervention nor at the one‐year follow‐up. Public health benefits will be evident if the results are extended to other high‐prevalence areas.