Leptospirosis Risk Behaviors and Prevention among the Pgakûuyau Hilltribe People in Chiang Mai-พฤติกรรมเสี่ยงและการป้องกันตนเองจากโรคเลปโตสไปโรสิสของชาวเขาเผ่าปกาเกอะญอในเชียงใหม่

Abstract

        Leptospirosis is a zoonosis with worldwide distribution. Pgak’uyau hill tribe people is a population at risk of leptospirosis with different social and behavioral factors from urban population. The purposes of this descriptive study were to investigate both risk and preventive behaviors of Leptospirosis and to examine the relationship between risk and preventive behaviors and possible cases of leptospirosis of the Pgak’uyau hilltribe people in Mae Wang district, Chiang Mai province during January - March 2006, The sample included three hundred and sixty two Pgak’uyau hilltribe people who lived in Maewin sub-district, Mae Wang district, Chiang Mai province. The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire comprising of personal data and risk and preventive behaviors information. Percentage with counts and chi-square test were used to describe the samples. Logistic regression analysis was also used to calculate the effect of each factor controlling the effects of others.

           Number of months working in rice field per year, number of hours feeding animals, number of hours working in fruit orchard and consumption of rats were significantly associated with leptospirosis. Possible cases were more likely not wearing boots while working than controls (OR = 5.1, 95% CI = 2.2 - 11.6). There was a significant trend of increasing possible case of leptospirosis when the frequency of boots wearing decreased (p < 0.001).

          In conclusion, occupational exposure significantly associated with leptospirosis in Pgak’uyau hilltribe people. Wearing boots may significantly reduce the chance of leptospirosis and should be promoted to prevent the disease in this population.

Key words: leptospirosis, hilltribe, behavior, prevention