Journal of Health Sciences and Wellness

Controlling Complications in Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Patients (NPDR)

Ampa Jitkui — 2024-12-25

Diabetic retinopathy is a change in microangiopathy caused by high blood sugar levels, leading to ischemic retina complication, vitreous hemorrhage, tractional retinal detachment which can result in visual loss and blindness. The factors that cause diabetic retinopathy include the duration of having diabetes, HbA1c level, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Therefore, guidelines have been developed to help control diabetic retinopathy in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Promoting correct awareness and encouraging behavior modification among NPDR patients is essential for controlling diabetic retinopathy. This article discusses the risk factors for retinal abnormalities caused by diabetes, guidelines for preventing complications from diabetic retinopathy and strategies for controlling these complications. These include recommendations for changing eating behavior, exercise behavior and medication behavior according to the treatment plan. By understanding the benefits of controlling diabetes-related complications and the negative effects of accumulated high blood sugar levels that exceed the threshold, NPDR patients can be motivated to practice the behavioral changes on their own in the long term until they become a daily routine and eventually permanent. Finally, they can effectively control complications from diabetic retinopathy and lead to an improved quality of life.

Motorcycle Riding Safety Awareness among Undergraduate Public Health Students

Kitti Phoyen — 2024-12-25

The purpose of this cross-sectional research was to study motorcycle riding safety awareness and to compare personal factors that affected motorcycle riding safety awareness. The samples were students of undergraduate public health students in the central region. There were 399 samples. The research instrument was a questionnaire with 2 parts: personal factors and motorcycle riding safety awareness. The questionnaire had the index of Item Objective Congruence (IOC) between 0.80 - 1.00 and Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient of 0.95. The test for differences in motorcycle riding safety awareness between samples who had different personal factors using one-way, two-way and three-way ANOVA. The results revealed that the overall motorcycle riding safety awareness was at a medium level (M =3.31, S.D.=0.78) and 3 items that had the highest score were 1) to follow the traffic rules strictly (M =4.73, S.D.=0.53), 2) wear personal protective equipment for the motorcycle riding (M =4.70, S.D.=0.58) and 3) had the driving’s license (M =4.58, S.D.=0.82). Factors that significantly affected the motorcycle riding safety awareness (p- value< 0.05) were as follows: gender, frequency of the motorcycle riding, and experience accident from the motorcycle riding. This study to improve the training curriculum for the development of a training curriculum and enhancing the motorcycle riding safety consciousness.

Knowledge, Attitude and Exercise Behaviors of Health Sciences Students at a University

Niwat Songsin — 2024-12-25

The cross-sectional analysis study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and exercise behaviors of health sciences students, as well as the relationships between knowledge, attitude, and exercise behaviors among students at a University. A total of 285 participants were included, and a stratified random sampling technique was employed for participant selection. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, yielding Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.95, 0.96, and 0.94 respectively.and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analysis.

The results showed that health sciences students exhibited a good level of knowledge regarding exercise (M=7.10, SD=1.60). Their attitude towards exercise was at a fair level (M=33.70, SD=5.40), and their exercise behaviors were also at a fair level (M=33.30, SD=2.30). The relationship analysis indicated a statistically significant correlation between knowledge and attitude with exercise behaviors among health sciences students (r=0.384, p<0.01 and r=0.276, p<0.01, respectively). This research should promote the principles of correct exercise cognition and foster motivational attitudes among students to help them understand the importance of exercise for maintaining good physical performance.

The Effects of an Educative-Supportive Program on Prevention of Postoperative Complication Behaviors and Postoperative Complications in Colorectal Cancer Patients After Open Abdominal Surgery

Aunnita Butsud — 2024-12-25

This study was quasi-experimental research using two groups and repeated measurement design. The purpose of this research aimed to investigate the effects of an Educative-Supportive program on the prevention of postoperative complication behaviors and postoperative complications in colorectal cancer patients after open abdominal surgery. The purposive sample consisted of 52 patients undergoing an open abdominal surgery at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital Directorate of Medical Services between December 2020 – October 2022. The 26 subjects were assigned to the experimental group and the other 26 to the control group. Instruments used for data collection were the demographic and stage of health data form, the Pain Numerical Rating Scale, the Bowel Function Recovery Evaluation, and the Behaviors Complication Prevent Assessment form. Data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics, chi-square, independent t-test, and two-way Mixed-design ANOVA. The results showed that the mean scores for postoperative complication prevention behavior on days 1,3 and 5 of the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (p< .001). The mean score of postoperative pain on days 1,3 and 5 of the experimental group were significantly lower than the control group (p< .001). The mean scores of bowel function recovery after surgery on days 1, 3 and 5 of the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (p< .001).

The Relationship Between a History of COVID-19 Infection and Body Imbalance According to Traditional Chinese Medicine in Farmers of Pong District, Phayao Province

Poonyaphat Siriteerathitikul — 2024-12-25

This research is a cross-sectional study. The objective is to investigate the relationship between imbalanced health conditions and COVID-19 infection in the high-ground farmer community in Pong district, Phayao. A total of 391 people were surveyed using stratified sampling and questionnaires. Analysis of descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were used to find factors that have a primary relationship between the infection record and other factors, along with imbalanced health conditions. Using multivariate logistic regression confirm that the COVID-19 infection record is not a covariate of the imbalanced health condition. The research found that from 391 samples, 53.00% were female, 81.00% were 45 years or above, and 33.00% of them, or 125, were infected. After classifying by Chinese medicine, 47% of them have an imbalance health condition. They are as follows: qi stagnation (13.00%), qi deficiency (12.00%), blood stasis (8.00%), special diethesi (7.00%), yin deficiency (7.00%), phlegm-dampness (6.00%), and dampness-heat (3.00%). The multivariate analysis found that COVID-19 infection has a relationship with an imbalanced health condition (p 0.04, 95%CI 1.012-2.557). After adjusting other relevant factors such as female gender, debt, working hours (more than 8), obesity, and finger hip pain. The research concludes that COVID-19 infection has a relationship with imbalanced health conditions. To identify health management strategies based on post-COVID-19 syndrome, as well as to provide a framework for prevention and reducing morbidity rates. These findings can also be further developed into health education initiatives to equip communities with foundational knowledge for restoring bodily balance and maintaining health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Predictors of Syphilis Infection Preventive Behaviors of Male Youths in Thailand’s Lower Southern Region Juvenile Observation and Protection Center

Nalisa Aramwongwit — 2024-12-25

This predictive correlational research aimed to study the factors predicting syphilis infection preventive behavior, including health literacy, and social support, among male youths in Thailand’s lower southern juvenile observation and protection center. The samples consisted of 130 male youths at juvenile observation and protection center. Data were collected from November 2022 to March 2023. The research instrument was composed of the recording form of personal information, health literacy, social support, and a questionnaire on syphilis prevention behavior in youths. Reliability by the Alpha coefficient formula of Cronbach obtained reliability of 0.81, 0.72, and 0.72 rspectively. Data were analyzed by percentage standard deviation and multiple regression. The research results revealed that health literacy and social support can predict syphilis infection preventive behavior among the male d youths in Thailand’s lower southern juvenile observation and protection center, which were statistically significant and accounted for 24.4% (β =.382, .182 P < .05, respectively). The most significant predicting factor is health literacy, followed by social support, but substance use behaviors cannot predict syphilis infection preventive behavior (β = -.113 p.151). The research results can be used as guidelines for planning the promotion of skills in health literacy and design teaching in the observation center to cover of social support.

Prevalence of Fall, Associated Factors and Quality of Life among the Elderly Living in Samutprakarn Province

Monchuleeporn Viriyawattanakul — 2024-12-25

This study aimed to assess the prevalence associated factors and quality of life in the elderly. The study was conducted on 139 elderly that living in Samutprakarn Province. The information of fall history, balance, cognition, fear of falling, depression, and quality of life was collected. The associated factors were analyzed using the Chi-square test. The results showed the prevalence of falls was 35.3% or the elderly had a fall rate of 1.9 per person-year. Falling mostly occurred in the elderly aged between 60-69 and was found once a year. Males had a 1.45 times higher risk of falling than females. The majority cause of falls in males was slipping whereas the cause of falls in females occurred from slipping or stumbling. Additionally, a statistically significance rate of falls was found in the early elderly (p <0.032), the widowed or divorced (p <0.026) and none-exercise (p <0.039), and the elderly who exercise less than 3 days per week (p <0.046). Sixty-five point sixty-nine percent of the elderly had a moderate quality of life, 32.12% had a good quality of life, and 2.19 had a low quality of life. The results of this study suggest that elderly people in Samutprakan province have a high prevalence of falls. The high rate of falls was related to the early elderly, marital status, and history of exercise. Moreover, most of the elderly in Samutprakan province had a moderate quality of life.

A Study of the Effectiveness for Osteoarthritis with Acupuncture and Tuina Massage in the Elderly People in Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan

Suwimon Phoncharee — 2024-12-25

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture and acupuncture combined with Tui Na massage for elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis. 61 patients from Bangphli district, Samutprakarn province were using SPSS 21.0 program randomly divided into two groups: 30 cases of the control group were treated by acupuncture alone once a week, for 20 minutes per time, while 31 cases of the treatment group were treated by acupuncture for 20 minutes and TuiNa massage for 10-15 minutes, once a week. The duration of treatment in both groups was 8 weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) was assessed before and at 0, 3, 5 and 8 weeks after treatment. SPSS 21.0 program was used to analyze the result. The average age of the treatment group was 66.09 years, body mass index (BMI) was 25.93 kg/m2, duration of symptoms was 4.64 years; in the control group, average age was 64.86 years, BMI 26.48 kg/m2, and duration of symptoms was 4.00 years, and the result showed there was not a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05) on average age, BMI, and duration of symptoms. The result also showed the treatment in two groups improved pain and function (P<0.001); the WOMAC score of pain relief showed a statistically significant difference between the treatment group and control group (P<0.001); the treatment group could significantly improve knee function and total WOMAC score after treatment compared with the control group (P<0.001); but there was no statistically significant difference on joint stiffness symptom (P>0.05). The result also showed the WOMAC score in the treatment group was significantly decreased (P<0.001) compared with the control group. Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with Tui Na massage in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis was the most effective treatment option and had a better therapeutic effect than acupuncture alone.

The survey of Health Data by an Interprofessional Team among the Population in Community, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province

Mayuree Kengkate — 2024-12-25

Due to the increasing health problems of the urban population resulting from modern lifestyles characterized by excessive use of technology, unhealthy eating habits, and insufficient exercise, this research aims to conduct an interprofessional survey of health data from members of three communities: Bang-Chalong, Nong-Preu, and Raja-Dheva Sub-districts in Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province. The survey population consists of 572 participants, divided into three groups: youths, working-age individuals, and elders aged over 60 years. Data was collected through annual medical health checks; Chinese medical health checks; and questionnaires. Statistical analysis was applied to the collected data. The results from the annual medical health checks indicate that elders take regular health checks more frequently than working-age individuals and youths, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The health behaviors of youths were found to be less appropriate compared to those of working-age individuals and elders, also statistically significant (P < 0.05). Regarding knowledge of drug use, educated working-age individuals and elders showed a higher level of awareness. From the Chinese medical check and questionnaires, it was found that most people (55.4%) possessed basic balanced health or fairly balanced health. Secondly, 20.7% of participants displayed mixed health patterns involving two or more types of basic balanced health. Notably, Qi deficiency (气虚) was increasing found among youths. The research suggests that local administrative offices utilize these findings to develop health promotion campaigns focusing on youths and working-age individuals in order to prevent the worsening of health issues. This would contribute to fostering a healthier elderly society in the future.

Correlation between working memory and mental health of the senior physical therapy students during online learning in the Covid-19 situation

Supanee Chounchay — 2024-12-25

The objective of the study was to explore the problems of mental health including depression, anxiety, and stress among senior physical therapy students during online learning in the Covid-19 situation. In addition, the correlation between working memory and mental health was to be determined. The sixty-eight participants were senior physical therapy students aged 22.60 ± 0.10 years old. The digit span test was used to assess working memory. Also, the depression anxiety stress scale (DASS-21) was used to measure the mental health of all participants. All data were analyzed using a descriptive statistic, and correlation was identified by Spearman’s correlation coefficient. The study reported normal levels of mental health state in depression, anxiety, and stress at 75.00%, 69.10% and 91.20% of all participants respectively. Moreover, the results found anxiety from mild to extremely severe level at 30.90% of all participants followed by depression and stress from mild to severe level at 25.00% and 8.80%. The percentile of working memory of all participants was 78.71 ± 12.83. However, the working memory was not significantly different among various levels of anxiety (p = 0.85), depression (p = 0.64), and stress (p = 0.55). Although most senior physical therapy students had a normal level of mental health. there were a few students who suffered from a mental health problem. Therefore, you should be aware of this problem to watch out for it in a timely manner.

The Competency of Village Health Volunteers 4.0 Affects the Performance of Village Health Volunteers in Racha Thewa Subdistrict, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province

Nilawan Ngamkham — 2024-12-25

This research aimed to determine the performance level of village health volunteers and the level of competency 4.0 of village health volunteers. Moreover, to determine the level of competency 4.0 of village health volunteers (the digital technology use, the health knowledge, the health volunteer, the health transformation leader) affects the performance of village health volunteers in Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province. The sample size was 164 village health volunteers. Questionnaires were used as tools to collect data, and questionnaires were checked for content validity by 3 experts. Index of item objective congruence (IOC) was 0.67 to 1.00. The reliability analysis with the alpha coefficient of performance was 0.970, the digital technology use variable was 0.925, and the volunteer variable was 0.913. The health transformation leaders variable was 0.899. The health knowledge variable used in KR20 was 0.820. The data analysis statistic was a multiple regression analysis by stepwise method.

The research results showed that the performance level of health volunteers was high. (= 3.68, S.D. = 0.38), digital technology use was high (= 3.47, S.D. = 0.70), volunteer was high (= 4.00, S.D. = 0.43), and health transformation leaders were high (= 3.67, S.D. = 0.55). The health knowledge level was high by 75.6% (18-22 points). The volunteer variables, health transformation leader, digital technology use, and health knowledge, had affected the performance of village health volunteers, respectively (b = 0.222, b = 0.209, b = 0.102, b = -0.029). The competency 4.0 of village health volunteers explained the performance of village health volunteers by 26.9%. The health promotion hospital and Head of Village Health Volunteers can use the results of research for development and encourage the competency of village health volunteers 4.0, especially volunteers.

Predicting Factors of Burnout Among Frontline Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Chunthana Chinawong — 2024-12-25

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a dramatic global disruption and impact of burnout among frontline nurses. Frontline nurses have faced substantial physical and psychological distress during this period. This research aimed to identify the predicting factors of burnout among frontline nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic using a cross-sectional study design. The sample comprised 195 frontline nurses. The participants were recruited through snowball sampling based on predetermined inclusion criteria. The researcher collected data via an electronic online survey distributed through QR code-linked questionnaires. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire consisting of 5 parts: 1) Demographic data, 2) Resilience Quotient, 3) Stress Test (ST5), 4) Perceived Organizational Support, and 5) Maslach Burnout Inventory (BMI) in its Thai version. The reliability coefficients of parts 2-5 were 0.82, 0.95, 0.90, and 0.88 respectively. Descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. The findings showed that 85.6% of frontline nurses experienced a high level of burnout in the dimension of professional efficacy, while emotional exhaustion and cynicism were at lower levels of 77.4% and 54.9%, respectively. Significant predictive factors of burnout in the emotional exhaustion dimension included organizational rewards and job conditions. 34.9% of the variation in burnout within the emotional exhaustion dimension could be attributed to the set of study variables (adjusted R² = 0.349). Significant predictive factors of burnout in the cynicism dimension included stress and job conditions. 30.5% of the variation in burnout within the cynicism dimension could be attributed to the set of study variables (adjusted R² = 0.305). Significant predictive factors of burnout in the professional efficacy dimension included organizational commitment, resilience, and supervisor support, respectively. 16.2% of the variation in burnout within the professional efficacy dimension could be attributed to the set of study variables (adjusted R² = .162). Therefore, organizations should enhance resilience and stress management for nurses under prolonged pressure. They should allocate resources and promote safety in their workplaces, especially in high-risk environments.