Enhancing Health Education about Carcinogenic Liver Fluke  among Migrant Labourers

Authors

Schawanya Kaewpitoon Rattanapitoon1 , Nathkapach Kaewpitoon Rattanapitoon2 , Nattawut Keeratibharat3 , Pundit Asavaritikrai4 , Alisa Boonsuya5 , Phornphitcha Pechdee6

Health Education, Liver Fluke, Migrant Labourers

Liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini infection is associated with hepatobiliary diseases including

cholangiocarcinoma. The spread of liver fluke infection may occur in Southeast Asia due to increased labour

migration among the countries of the ASEAN Economic Community as a result of an open borders policy

that started in 2015. Therefore, a migrant health and education programme (MHEP) was organized and

delivered by a migrant health and education network team. This study was conducted from March 2018 to

October 2019 among migrant labourers from Cambodia, Laos PDR, and Myanmar who work in Nakhon

Ratchasima Province, Thailand. Participants experienced a high level of satisfaction with the MHEP and

gave the programme positive feedback. The MHEP has achieved its objective to increase the accessibility of

health services among migrant populations in factory settings. Sharing this successful programme may also

be useful in other areas.