title: Nurses and Television as Sources of Information Effecting Behavioral Improvement Regarding Liver Flukes in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Liver fluke infection with Opisthorchis viverrini and its associated cholangiocarcinoma constitute a serious problem in Thailand. Healthy behavior can decrease infection, therefore, the investigation of knowledge, attitude, and practice is need required in high risk areas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the behavior and perceptions regarding liver fluke.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Chum Phuang district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand during July to November 2015. A total 80 participants who had screened with verbal screening test, stool examination, and ultrasonography, were purposive selected and completed a pre-designed questionnaire (Kruder-Richardon-20=0.80, Cronbach's alpha coefficient=0.82 and 0.79). T-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation test were used for analyzed data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results reveal that O. viverrini infection was 1.25%, and 3 patients had a dilated bile ducts. The participants had a high knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding liver fluke. The education, occupation, and income, were statistical significant to attitude regarding liver fluke. Nurses and television were the main sources of information regarding liver fluke, with statistical significance(p-value <0.05). Knowledge was significantly associated with attitude and practice (p-value<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants had good behavior regarding liver fluke. Improvement of knowledge and attitude is influenced to practical change regarding this carcinogenic fluke. In addition, nurse and television are the main information resources for key success in increasing people perception for disease prevention and control in this area.
authors.affiliation: Parasitic Disease Research Unit, Suranaree University of Technology Hospital, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand E-mail : soraya.k@sut.ac.th.
authors.forename: Soraya J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kaewpitoon
authors.forename: Natthawut
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kaewpitoon
authors.forename: Ratana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rujirakul
authors.forename: Parichart
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wakkuwattapong
authors.forename: Likit
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Matrakul
authors.forename: Taweesak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tongtawee
authors.forename: Ryan A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Loyd
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Norkaew
authors.forename: Jirawoot
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kujapun
authors.forename: Wasugree
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chavengkun
authors.forename: Sukanya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ponphimai
authors.forename: Poowadol
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Polsripradist
authors.forename: Thawatchai
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eksanti
authors.forename: Tanida
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Phatisena
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001519:Behavior; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000469:parasitology; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000469:parasitology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses; D009889:Opisthorchiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000469:parasitology; D009891:Opisthorchis / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013690:Television; D013785:Thailand