Somsak Chuckpaiwong1, Subarn Panvisavas2, Polrat Wilairatana3
1Faculty of Dentistry; 2Faculty of Social Science and Humanities;
3Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand
Abstract
We report on two cross-sectional studies concerning the prevalence of malaria and intestinal
parasitic infections in Bongtee subdistrict, Saiyok district, Kanchanaburi province, Thailand.
Bongtee is close to the Thai-Myanmar border and Mahidol University, Kanchanaburi Campus
(MU-KC). We found the prevalence of malaria to be seasonal, particularly that of falciparum
malaria, prevailing in the rainy month of July 1999 (the first survey) rather than the dry month of
February 2000 (the second survey). The prevalence of P. falciparum vs P. vivax in July 1999 and
February 2000 was 8.4% vs 2.8% and 1.6% vs 2.3%, respectively. Anemia prevalence also showed
seasonal change. Anemia was more frequently found in July 1999 than in February 2000 (11.1%
vs 4.1%; p < 0.05). In July, anemia was found in 2.8% and 1.0% of falciparum and vivax malaria
patients; whereas in February, anemia was found in 0% and 0.3% of falciparum and vivax malaria
patients.
The parasites were found in 144 (47.4%) of the people coming for stool examination (n = 304)
in July. The three most frequent intestinal parasites found in the people were Entamoeba coli
(22.0%), Giardia lamblia (14.8%) and Endolimax nana (10.2%). In February, the parasites were
found in 168 (34.4%) of the people coming for stool examination (n = 489). The three most
frequent intestinal parasites found in the people were Entamoeba coli (13.5%), hookworm (8.0%)
and Endolimax nana (7.8%). Many infected people had multiple parasitic infections.
Malaria and intestinal parasites remain considerable health problems among the people of
Bongtee and perhaps have a health impact on the people living near Bongtee, particularly personnel
at MU-KC. Further annual surveillance and control of malaria, intestinal parasites and other possible
infectious diseases in this region appeared warranted.
Keywords: malaria, intestinal parasites, Bongtee, Saiyok, Kanchanaburi