Current Status of Clonorchis Sinensis Infection & Its Related Factors among the Residents of Rural Communities

농촌지역주민의 간흡충 감염실태 및 관련 요인에 관한 연구

Purpose: This study was done to determine the extent of Clonorchis sinensis infections as well as other parasitic infections and to determine the growth rate. Method: Analyzed test results were from 1,050 bowel samples taken at 3 public health subcenters located in Muju, North Jeolla Province during February and March 2007. Result: The results are summarized as follows; The egg positive rate by stool examination was 4.3%. Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, Clonorchis sinensis, Trichuris trichiura, Metagonimus, Paragonimus were detected. No one was infected with multiple parasites. Infection rate for Clonorchis sinensis was 3.5%. Statistical correlation to Clonorchis sinensis infection rate was as follows; Gender (p=0.001), Age (p=0.005), Proximity to a river (p<0.000), Drinking (p<0.000), Smoking (p=0.009), Cooking of freshwater fish (p<0.000), Confidence in subjective health status (p=0.032), Family history of infection (p=0.005), No significant correlation was found between Clonorchis sinensis infection rate and duration of stay (p=0.809) in the agricultural communities or between Clonorchis sinensis infection and knowledge of Clonorchis sinensis (p=0.113). Conclusion: The results of this survey show that there is a need to develop a program to test the condition of Clonorchis Sinensis infection and its growth rate in residents of rural communities.