A study on the pattern of socioeconomic and health status in relation to parasitic diseases in the inhabitants around Ubolratana Dam in Northeast Thailand

Abstract

The pattern of socioeconomic and health status of the people residing in Northeast Thailand, were studied in 1972. 1,088 persons in 3 villages were included and their condition, health status and parasitic infections were examined. The investigation revealed that gastro intestinal disturbances were a major problem among this group. There was a moderate prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections, predominantly liver fluke (30.9%) and hookworm infection (30.5%). Some infections with Strongyloides, intestinal flukes and Heterophyes were also detected; E. histolytica infection and malaria were not found. Anemia was prevalent among the villagers in this area, regardless of whether they were infected with hookworm or not. Further studies are recommended. It was observed that most of the people had sufficient caloric and protein intake in their diet, but the latter was lacking in essential components such as vitamin B 2 . However, living conditions are probably better than those in other rural areas. High total serum proteins with hyperglobulinaemia were encountered which may occur in association with chronic and recurrent opisthorchiasis, hookworm infection or other undiagnosed infections. Further investigations are suggested. The results provided base line data on the socioeconomic and health status of a group of people whose life style was altered by dam construction. Since the number of the persons in this study was small, it is suggested that such investigations be repeated in other villages as well as continued in the present group.