Study of an Enhanced Community Health Program to Prevent Liver Cancer Caused by Liver Fluke Infection in Khon Kaen, Thailand

What this Trial Is About

Liver cancer, specifically cholangiocarcinoma CCA, is common in certain areas of Thailand, influenced by factors like liver fluke infection, older age, eating raw fish, family cancer history, alcohol intake, certain medicines, low fresh vegetable intake, and low education. Researchers developed the Community-based Health Education and Communication CHEC program in 2015 to prevent liver cancer caused by liver flukes. This 5-year study aims to enhance the CHEC program and test its effectiveness in improving knowledge and behaviors to prevent liver cancer in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Additional goals include understanding community challenges and strengths for prevention and integrating the program into Thai healthcare. The study compares two groups one receiving the enhanced CHEC eCHEC program and one not receiving it. The eCHEC program is a behavioral intervention focused on health education and communication to reduce liver fluke infection and lower CCA risk. Participants are randomly assigned to either the usual care community group without the program or the eCHEC community group with the program. The study is conducted in selected villages of Khon Kaen province. Participants aged 20 and older from 16 specific villages will be involved. Outcomes measured at 12 months include intake of raw fish, fruits and vegetables, smoking, alcohol consumption, use of praziquantel medication, stool test results, and stages of behavior change related to CCA risk. Secondary measures include knowledge about prevention, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, health literacy, and quality of life. The study tracks these factors to evaluate the programs impact on preventing liver cancer over a year.

Evaluating a Community-Based Behaviour Change Communication Model to Prevent Cholangiocarcinoma in Khon Kaen, Thailand