EFFECT OF THE PROGRAM TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR TO PREVENT LIVER FLUKE DISEASE AMONG PEOPLE AT RISK IN THE THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER AREA, PHU SING DISTRICT, SISAKET PROVINCE

Abstract

     The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to examine the effects of a behavioral modification program on the prevention of opisthorchiasis among at-risk populations residing in the Thai–Cambodian border areas of Phusing District, Sisaket Province. The sample consisted of 82 participants, divided equally into an experimental group and a comparison group (41 participants each). The experimental group comprised at-risk individuals in Phu Sing District, while the comparison group included at-risk individuals in Khun Han District, Sisaket Province. The experimental group received a researcher-developed program for a duration of 12 weeks, whereas the comparison group received the usual program. Data were collected twice—before and after the intervention—between 10 September 2025 and 10 December 2025. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, median, and the 25th and 75th percentiles. Differences within groups were examined using paired t-tests, and differences between groups were analyzed using ANCOVA, with the level of significance set at 0.05.

     The results showed that, prior to the intervention, the experimental and comparison groups differed significantly in mean scores of perceived barriers at the 0.05 significance level. After controlling for baseline scores, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher mean scores than the comparison group in knowledge of liver fluke infection, attitudes toward disease prevention, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, social support, intention to prevent the disease, self-efficacy, and preventive behaviors related to liver fluke infection (p < 0.05).