title: Risk Areas of Liver Flukes in Surin Province of Thailand using Geographic Information System.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Opisthorchiasis, caused by Opisthorchis viverrini, is of considerable public health importance in Southeast Asia, particularly in Lao PDR and Thailand.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to analyze the risk areas for liver flukes in Surin province, Thailand using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The 5 main factors (131 variables) were: (1) personal data (2) knowledge, attitude and practice, (3) health service unit, (4) environmental data, and (5) climate data. The relationship between these mainfactors and liver fluke infection was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Potential surface analysis (PSA) with geographic information systems (GIS) was performed to create maps displaying areas at risk for liver fluke infection in Surin province.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The population density (148-169 pop/km2; X73), human attitude (< 50%; X111), and land use (wetland; X64), were statistically significant with liver fluke infection by a percentage of 88.60% (Adjusted R2 = 0.886). The heavy risk areas covered 221.39 km2 and including 8 districts; Si Narong, Sangkha, Phnom Dong Rak, Mueang Surin, Non Narai, Samrong Thap, Chumphon Buri and Rattanaburi.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Present study identifies the increased risk areas for liver flukes in Surin Province and may be useful for future planning of prevention and control.
authors.forename: Ratana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rujirakul
authors.forename: Naporn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ueng-arporn
authors.forename: Soraya J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kaewpitoon
authors.forename: Ryan A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Loyd
authors.forename: Sarochinee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaewthani
authors.forename: Natthawut
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kaewpitoon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004777:Environment; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009889:Opisthorchiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009891:Opisthorchis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011634:Public Health; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D062206:Spatial Analysis; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology