The effectiveness of innovation of air filter in snorkel for upper respiratory tract infection prevention

Abstract

The research design was mixed method research. The purposes of this study were to develop the air filter innovation and study the effectiveness of snorkel air filter on the upper respiratory tract infection prevention. The samples were divided into 3 groups: (1) 30 patients of the upper respiratory tract infection who visited in the outpatient department (OPD) and inpatient department (IPD); (2) 400 tourists who used snorkel; and (3) 6 Key informants. The research instruments were divided into 3 parts as following: 1) Cultural laboratory; 2) The semi-structured in-depth Interview and; 3) The questionnaire of innovative value. The reliability of the innovative value of the questionnaire was 0.87. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and content analysis. The research showed 10% of snorkel culture were positive which mostly contaminated with Influenza virus types A and B genus Orthomyxoviridae. The innovative value of air filter in snorkel was high - level ( x̄ =4.18, SD=0.20). From the survey done by the divers indicted that they had confidence in the potential of air filter innovation in preventing upper respiratory infection, comfortableuse, and no suffocation problem. This study indicated that the innovation of air filter in snorkel reduced the spread of the upper respiratory tract-infectious diseases. Therefore, the relevant responsible organizations should promote to use the innovation of air filter in snorkel accompanied with cleaning and desiccating the air filter of snorkel to reduce risk of the upper respiratory tract infection among the tourists.