title: Perceptions and risky behaviors associated with Leptospirosis in an endemic area in a village of Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leptospirosis, a disease caused by Leptospira species, a spirochaete bacterium that can develop in an appropriate environment and/or grow in human and/or animal hosts, is a serious problem for the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate people's perceptions and behavioral risks regarding leptospirosis infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional descriptive study collected data in May, 2013. Data on individuals' perceptions and risky behaviors concerning leptospirosis were collected from 104 completed questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regarding perceptions of leptospirosis, we found them to be at a high level (97.1%) and risky behaviors regarding leptospirosis were reported at a moderate level (74.0%). The study found no correlation between perceptions and risky behaviors regarding leptospirosis (r 0.186, p-value 0.059).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggest that people in these areas have good knowledge about leptospirosis. However, some people have risky behavior associated with leptospirosis. Thus, a behavioral change campaign should be promoted to encourage people awareness of the dangers of such behavior.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jaruwan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wongbutdee
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wacharapong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Saengnill
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jutharat
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jittimanee
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University, Thailand.
authors.forename: Suwaporn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daendee
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000379:methods; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations; D010465:Perception; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013785:Thailand
keywords: Perceptions; leptospirosis; risky behaviors