Armelle Forrer|Somphou Sayasone|Penelope Vounatsou|Youthanavanh Vonghachack|Dalouny Bouakhasith|Steffen Vogt|Rüdiger Glaser|Jürg Utzinger|Kongsap Akkhavong|Peter Odermatt
Spatial Distribution of, and Risk Factors for, Opisthorchis viverrini Infection in Southern Lao PDR
University of Basel|Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute|University of Basel|National Institute of Public Health|Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute|University of Basel|Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute|University of Health Sciences Vientiane|University of Health Sciences Vientiane|University of Freiburg|University of Freiburg|University of Basel|Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute|National Institute of Public Health|University of Basel|Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
opisthorchis viverrini foodborne trematode species might give rise biliary diseases fatal cholangiocarcinoma lao pdr estimated 25 million individuals infected viverrini epidemiological studies scarce spatial distribution infection remains determined aim map distribution viverrini southern lao pdr identify underlying risk factors predict prevalence viverrini nonsurveyed locationsa crosssectional parasitological questionnaire survey carried 51 villages champasack province first half 2007 data demography socioeconomic status water supply sanitation behavior combined remotely sensed environmental data fed geographical information system bayesian geostatistical models employed identify risk factors investigate spatial pattern viverrini infection bayesian kriging utilized predict infection risk nonsurveyed locationsthe prevalence viverrini among 3371 study participants complete data records 611 geostatistical models identified age lao loum ethnic group educational attainment occupation ie rice farmer fisherman animal breeder unsafe drinking water source risk factors infection history praziquantel treatment access sanitation distance freshwater bodies found protective factors spatial patterns viverrini mainly governed environmental factors predictive modeling identifying two different risk profiles low risk viverrini mountains high risk mekong corridorwe present first risk map viverrini infection champasack province important spatial targeting control efforts infection viverrini appears strongly associated exposure second intermediate host fish human behavior culture whereas high transmission sustained lack sanitation