Predictive Factors of Health-Promoting Behaviors among Monks in Urban Communities, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

Abstract

This research aimed to study health promoting behaviors and the predictive power of perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, and social support in practicing health promotion behaviors among monks. A sample of 141 monks were recruited using multi-stage random sampling. The inclusion criteria consisted of monks who ordained for one or more Buddhist period and living Nai Muang Subdistrict, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The exclusion criteria included monks who were sickening, disrobing, and death. The research instrument was questionnaire containing personal data, health-promoting behaviors, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, and social support. The validity was between 0.8 - 0.9 and the Cronbach alpha coefficient was 0.84. Data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, and stepwise multiple regression.

The findings revealed that the majority of the monks aged 41-50 years (Mean 46.23, SD 16.05), ordained period of 1-4 (Mean 14.73, SD 14.92). The overall health-promoting behaviors were at the moderate level (Mean 2.78, SD .40). High-level of health promoting behaviors included physical activity (Mean 3.35, SD .84) and stress management (Mean 3.04, SD .85). Undesirable health promoting behaviors included smoking (59.6%), eating raw or undercooked food (27%), salty or pickled food (10.6%), and eating greasy and fried food (7.8%). Factors predicting health promotion behavior among the monks were perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and social support, that statistically significant predicted at 38.5% (r .631, p < .001). Recommendations included the relevant agencies should promote the monks in refraining from smoking, choosing their food, and raising public awareness about offering food to the monks.