The Prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis and Its Related Factors at Goksung Area in the Basin of Sumjin River

섬진강유역(蟾津江流域) 곡성지역(谷城地域) 간흡충(肝吸蟲) 감염실태(感染實態) 및 관련요인(關聯要因)

A questionnaire survey including stool examination for the parasite ova, skin test, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of the liver fluke to find the factors related with the prevalence of the parasite infestation was done toward 118 residents living in three villages of Song-jung, Yi-jung, and Chim-gok of Okok-myun, Goksung County, South Cholla Province. The results are as follows : 1. The prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis ova by the stool examination was 46.6%. The sensitivity and specificity of skin test to egg-positive cases were 63.5% and 68.9%. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA to egg-positive clonorchiasis were 100% and 34.9%. 2. The prevalence of Clonchiasis was higher in male than in female. 45~64 year old group was the highest among age groups, and the longer the duration of living in the present residence was, the higher the prevalence was shown statistically significantly (p<0.01). 3. The present drinker had higher prevalence of Clonorchiasis significantly than the past drinker or non-drinker, and the more the frequency of drinking the higher the prevalence was shown significantly (p<0.05). 4. Those who took raw fish had significantly higher than persons who didn't take it or take cooked fish(p<0.05) and prevalence showed the tendency to be increased as the frequency to take raw fishes increased significantly(p<0.05). 5. Those who had taken a raw sweet fish(Plecoglossus altivelis) or snake-headed fish(Ophicephalus argus) showed significantly higher prevalence of infection with liver fluke than persons who didn't take the raw fish. 6. While 56.4% of persons infected with Clonorchiasis answered that they were healthy, only 13.0% of the subjects were careful for their health, and 41.8% experienced tests to diagnose liver flukes before they were examined by this survey. 7. While 56.4% of infected persons thought the prevalence was high in their community, 54.0% were afraid to be infected, 47.1% thought the infection might destroy their health, 25.5% took treatment drugs, and 18.2% took raw fish continuously after treatment. The above results confirmed that Goksung area was highly prevalent in Clonorchiasis, so it was necessary to push effective preventive program against liver fluke infection together with the program to diagnose and treat existing infected persons.