Abstract. A matched-pair case-control study was conducted to identify factors
associated with Opisthorchis viverrini infection among primary schoolchildren to
develop preventive education. A house-to-house interview of the guardians of
118 children (59 cases and 59 controls) was conducted to collect information about
theirs and their children’s fish eating habits of 10 locally available fish species.
The guardians’ knowledge and attitudes about Opisthorchis viverrini infection and
socio-economic status were asked about. The frequencies of eating fish did not
differ between cases and controls. However, cases ate raw fish more frequently
than controls (5.1 vs 1.2 times monthly). The frequency of eating raw “pa-xiew”
was most strongly related to infection (OR 2.47; 95%CI 1.05-5.82). Infection was
significantly associated with the children’s experiences of eating raw fish (OR 7.48;
95% CI 1.45-38.69), frequency of eating raw fish by their guardians (OR 1.26; 95%
CI 1.04-1.53) and maternal educational and career (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.62-0.94).
To prevent infections it is necessary to prevent the fish from becoming infected
and to avoid eating raw fish. Education should focus on the children and their
guardians to promote better eating habits.
Keyword: Opisthorchis viverrini, risk factors, schoolchildren, Lao PDR