Journal of Public Health and Health Sciences Research

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Journal of Public Health and Health Sciences Research — 2023-12-13

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Journal of Public Health and Health Sciences Research — 2023-12-13

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Journal of Public Health and Health Sciences Research — 2023-12-13

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Journal of Public Health and Health Sciences Research — 2023-12-13

Editorial

Asst. Prof. Dr. Orawan Keeratisiroj, Ph.D. (Clinical Epidemiology) — 2023-12-13

Design research for development innovation in public health

Pornuma Rasri — 2023-11-21

In the era of progress in digital technology, both government agencies and private sectors have brought such technology to research and develop innovations to enhance the quality of life of the Thai population. Public health agencies strive to drive research and innovation by public health officials to improve the quality of public health services in the future. Therefore, public health officials are a group of personnel who play an important role in research and innovation in public health development, especially at the operational level. From past operations, it was found that public health workers had insufficient support knowledge of innovation development. The deficiency of integration with various partners, and creating works according to their own expertise rather than consultation with the needs of the country which resulted in the research results cannot be used in an actual context. However, the research design can close that knowledge gap because the research methodology can focus on the participation of users to produce innovative products that can respond to problems in specific contexts. It also produces a theoretical output, known as the new design principle, which is derived from improving the intervention with the aim of it can be used in an actual context. Therefore, this article focuses on presenting principles of research design, as well as the application of research design to develop innovations in
public health.

The effectiveness of a strategic social marketing program on promoting vegetable consumption among people at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Yuparat Odglun — 2023-11-21

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to investigate the effectiveness of a vegetable consumption promotion program by applying a social marketing strategy among people who are at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Muang District, Nakhon-Nayok Province. A total of 75 participants at risk for type 2 diabetes, were enrolled using purposive sampling and divided into one experimental group (n = 37) and one control group (n = 38). The experimental group attended a vegetable consumption promotion program applying a social marketing mixed strategy. This strategy applies the 4P's (Product, Price, Place, and Promotion). The control group obtained the program information via a pamphlet.
The results revealed that the mean daily vegetable consumption of the experimental group after attending the program increased to 143.79 ± 62.60 grams (p-value < 0.001) and which was significantly higher than the mean vegetable consumption ofthe control group (p-value < 0.001). Moreover, the mean fasting blood glucose level of the experimental group, after the program was lower than the control group level at 9.03 ± 8.23 mg/dL (p-value < 0.001). These results indicate that this promoting vegetable consumption program applied a social marketing strategy to the diabetes-risk group can increase vegetable consumption behaviors, which is one of the factors that reduce blood sugar levels. This program can help to reduce or prolong the duration of diabetes in the diabetes-risk group when practicing regularly.

Factors associated with cervical cancer screening service utilization of at-risk women aged 30-60 years, Pongpha Subdistrict, Maesai District, Chiangrai Province

Teeranad Panyayom — 2023-11-21

Cervical cancer is the most common life-threatening cancer among women worldwide, including in Thailand. In addition, cervical cancer can be prevented by having regular screenings with Pap smears and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) tests. A cross-sectional study aimed to investigate cervical cancer screening service utilization and factors associated with cervical cancer screening services utilization for at-risk women aged 30-60 years living in the Pongpha Subdistrict, Maesai District, Chiangrai Province. The sample was a woman at-risk aged 30-60 years living in Pongpha Subdistrict, Maesai District, Chiangrai Province that were selected by systematic random sampling, obtaining 321 samples. The questionnaire was employed to collect data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean, percentage, and standard deviation, and inferential
statistics, including the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test
The results showed that most of the at-risk women had a moderate knowledge of cervical cancer (40.8%), got a high attitude toward cervical cancer screening (75.7%), and had never been screened for cervical cancer (61.7%). The results revealed that factors associated with cervical cancer screening services were age (p-value = 0.001), contraceptive history (p-value = 0.012), duration of contraception (p-value = 0.004), and knowledge about cervical cancer (p-value = 0.003). This study suggested that healthcare providers should design the program to improve knowledge about cervical cancer among at-risk women while considering age,
contraceptive history, and duration of contraception.

The effectiveness of the protection motivation theory incorporated with social support program on preventive behaviors for dengue fever among upper primary school students in Mueng District, Phichit Province

Jindaporn Jantes — 2023-11-21

This quasi-experimental research aimed to explore the effectiveness of the protection motivation theory incorporated with social support programs on preventive behaviors for dengue fever among upper primary school students in Mueng District, Phichit Province. The sample consisted of 66 students, which were selected through a purposive sampling technique. The sample was divided into 33 students in the experimental group and another 33 in the control group. The experimental group received the program for all six activities, namely danger near, let's know the risks, root cause, miraculous herbal red plaster, healthy by ourselves, and knowing how to be safe, which participated in the seven-week program with a follow-up in week 10. The control group attended classes according to the regular curriculum. Data was collected using a questionnaire developed by the researcher. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, an independent samples t-test, and a one-way repeated ANOVA with the Bonferroni method.
The results showed that after the intervention, the mean scores of perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, perceived self-efficacy, perceived response efficacy, and prevention behavior for dengue fever in the experimental group were statistically higher than when measured before the program. Also, the post-program scores in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (p-value < 0.05). Therefore, schools or relevant units should organize activities to motivate students combined with social support from teachers and friends, such as materials, money, and the workforce, which promote proper and appropriate behavioral change in preventing dengue fever among students.

The effectiveness of the behavioral modification program for dengue fever prevention and control among people of mango orchard areas in Wang Thap Sai Sub-district, Sak-Lek District, Phichit Province

Pannaphat Wongthirapong — 2023-11-21

This quasi-experimental research aimed to study the effectiveness of the behavioral modification program for dengue fever prevention and control among people of mango orchard areas in Wang Thap Sai Sub-district, Sak-Lek District, Phichit Province. The sample group consisted of 108 household leaders, 54 were the experimental group and another 54 were the comparison group. The duration of the program was 12 weeks. Data were collected by a questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics; independent t-test and repeated measure ANOVA.
The study found that, after the experiment, the experimental group that received the behavioral modification program for dengue fever prevention and control had a higher mean score of knowledge of the
dengue fever, perceived susceptibility of the dengue fever, perceived severity of dengue fever, perceived benefits of the dengue fever, perceived barriers of the dengue fever and behavioral practice for dengue fever prevention and control before receiving the program, and higher than the comparison group. The mean score of their self-efficacy for dengue fever prevention and control was lower than before receiving the program and lower than the comparison group. Moreover, the container index (CI) was lower than before receiving the program but higher than the comparison group.

Predictors of breakfast consumption behavior among undergraduate students: Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Huachiew Chalermprakiet University

Nuttawee Changchai — 2023-12-12

This cross-sectional research aimed to study breakfast consumption behavior and to investigate predisposing factors, reinforcing factors, and enabling factors for breakfast consumption behavior among undergraduate students from the Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Huachiew Chalermprakiet University. One hundred thirty samples were collected using self-administered questionnaires by quota and simple random sampling. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis.
The results showed that in all of the samples, 78.5 percent were found consuming breakfast, and 21.5 percent abstaining from breakfast, with 85.7 percent giving the main reason for not consuming breakfast due to waking up late. The average mean score of breakfast consumption behavior was 1.97 with a standard deviation of 1.03, and 75.4 percent of samples were found in a good level of breakfast consumption behavior. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that all factors could predict breakfast consumption behavior in samples by 15.8 percent (R² = 0.158, p-value < 0.05). Female, income, breakfast consumption sources (canteen, residence, and convenience store), and nutrition knowledge variables significantly predicted breakfast consumption behavior (Beta = -0.223, -0.213, -0.212, and 0.201, p-value < 0.05), respectively. Therefore, the finding of this study can be used to promote healthy breakfast consumption among undergraduate students in order to complete both physical and mental health.

Relationships among health literacy, knowledge, and preventive behaviors on Coronavirus disease 2019 among pregnant women in Khon Kaen Hospital

Thareerat Payapsai — 2023-12-12

The objectives of descriptive research were to study the level of health literacy, knowledge, and preventive behaviors on Coronavirus disease 2019, and the relationships among health literacy, knowledge, and preventive behaviors on Coronavirus disease 2019 among pregnant women. The two hundred twenty-twostudy subjects were selected by purposive sampling technique according to the study criteria. The questionnaires were used for data collection and analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Spearman rank correlation coefficient.
The results revealed that pregnant women had a high level of health literacy (Mean = 150.92, S.D. = 18.89), a moderate level of knowledge (Mean = 15.18, S.D. = 0.10), and a high level of preventive behaviors (Mean = 89.32, S.D. = 0.29). The relationship between health literacy and knowledgewas positively very low (r = 0.145, p-value < 0.05). The relationship between health literacy and preventive behaviors of Coronavirus disease 2019 was moderatelypositive (r = 0.43, p-value < 0.05). The relationship between knowledge and preventive behaviors of Coronavirus disease 2019 was positively low (r = 0.26, p-value < 0.05). The result of this study can be used to develop the activity or program using health literacy, knowledge, and preventive behaviors on Coronavirus disease 2019 as a guide for advice to pregnant women to prevent and reduce the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019.

Predictors of quality of life in older cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

Porawan Witwaranukool — 2023-12-13

This cross-sectional research aimed to predict the factors related to the quality of life among older cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The study involved a sample of 166 older cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at the National Cancer Institute in Bangkok between January and April 2023. Purposive sampling was used to select participants and data were collected using questionnaires. The analysis encompassed descriptive statistics, Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient, Eta correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analyses.
The findings revealed that 64.5% of the participants had a moderate overall quality of life, with a mean score of 3.60 (S.D. = 0.67). Factors were found to be significantly associated with the quality of life including self-care self-efficacy (r = 0.65, p-value < 0.001), social support (r = 0.59, p-value < 0.001), caregiver (η = 0.18, p-value = 0.027), and age (r = 0-.20, p-value = 0.011). Furthermore, the results demonstrated that self-care self-efficacy (β = 0.44, p-value < 0.001), social support (β = 0.36, p-value < 0.001), and age (β = -0.13, p-value = 0.026) together accounted for 52%(Adjusted R2= 0.52) of the variance in the overall quality of life. Based on these findings, healthcare professionals prioritize enhancing self-care self-efficacy, and social support among older cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This can be achieved by developing a tailored program aimed at improving their quality of life.

A development of resilience enhancing program among the caregivers responsible for home-based palliative care patients, Bandanlanhoi District, Sukhothai Province

Pongsak Ratsamana — 2023-12-04

Enhancing the resilience of caregivers responsible for home-based palliative care patients can improve their ability to manage caregiving burdens. This research aimed to develop a resilience-enhancing program for caregivers of patients receiving in-home palliative care. The research was conducted in 3 phases including 1) situation analysis, 2) development of a program, and 3) evaluation of the effectiveness of the program that was developed. In phases 1 and 2, a total of 48 participants were involved, including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, health volunteers, and caregivers. For the third phase, the participants consisted of 32 caregivers. The study employed three instruments consisted of 1) a semi-structured interview questionnaire, 2) a program designed to enhance the resilience of caregivers who provide care to patients receiving palliative care at home, and 3) a questionnaire comprising questions related to demographic information and resilience. Qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. Quantitative data were investigated using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests.
The findings revealed that caregivers faced a scarcity of mental health support and lacked adequate access to mental health services. This information was used as input for a resilience-enhancing program for caregivers. This program comprised five core activities: 1) establishing relationships and providing education on resilience, 2) cultivating self-confidence, 3) improving life management skills, 4) nurturing supportive relationships, and 5) discovering the life goal. Then, the program was implemented and evaluated. The evaluation indicated a significant increase in caregivers' resilience scores across all dimensions and overall, after the program's implementation (p-value < 0.001). These results imply that a resilience-enhancing program for caregivers of patients receiving in-home palliative care effectively supported the resilience of caregivers.

The demand for community-based wellness tourism services from the perspective of Thai and foreign tourists

Chamaiporn Kanchanakijsakul — 2023-12-13

Wellness tourism is a form of tourism that links individual health with social aspects and considers individual lifestyles. The objective of this research was to explore the demand for community-based wellness tourism services from Thai and foreign tourists' points of view. The study sample was 409 cases of Thai and foreign tourists aged 20 or over. The study tool was the online questionnaires and descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used.
The results of the study revealed that the demand for services could be categorized into three dimensions: tourism behavior, service activities, and standards/safety in the environment. In the tourism behavior dimension, it was found that Thai tourists (97.5%) and foreign tourists (78.5%) shared a common interest in traveling primarily for physical and mental relaxation. In the service activities dimension, the preferences differed slightly. For Thai tourists, the top five areas of highest demand included music (70.6%), hot springs (62.3%), visiting community landmarks (57.4%), massage (55.4%), and arts/performing (54.9%). In contrast, foreign tourists had a preference for craft learning activities (63.9%), healthy food (61.5%), local cooking demonstrations (61.0%), alternative medicine (60.5%), and music (58.5%) and hot springs (58.5%). Lastly, the dimension of the standards and safety in the environment, Thai tourists prioritize accident safety (70.5%), epidemic prevention and control (67.5%), emergency medical services (60.9%), emergency care (55.7%), and the cleanliness of services (51.0%). Foreign tourists, on the other hand, placed the highest demand on epidemic prevention and control (76.1%), emergency medical services (74.6%), cleanliness of various services (61.5%), safety from deception/fraud (53.2%), and accident safety (52.7%). The stakeholders should develop community-based health promotion tourism in line with the needs of tourists.

The effectiveness of the program applying the health promotion model on self-care behavior among patients with uncontrolled hypertension in Phakkwang Sub-district, Thongseankhan District, Uttaradit Province

Benjawan Wongrod — 2023-12-13

The purposes of this quasi-experimental research were to study the effectiveness of the program by applying health Promotion model on self-care behavior among patients with uncontrolled hypertension by applying Pender's Health-promotion Model and Protection Motivation Theory. The sample consisted of 60 patients with uncontrolled hypertension, divided into experimental group and control group, 30 people each. The experimental group received health promotion program for 8 weeks and follow-up period at the 10th week. The controlled group received regular service. The data were collected by interview forms from May to July 2019. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistics using Independent t-test, Paired t-test, One-Way Repeated ANOVA and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The statistical significance level was set at 0.05.
The results showed that after the experiment, the trial group had mean perceived scores including perceived benefit of practice, perceived barriers to practice, perceived self-efficacy, perceived severity of disease, and perceived risk exposure disease, and the mean behavioral scores were statistically significantly higher than before the trial (p-value < 0.05). The mean systolic blood pressure of the experimental group after the trial and follow-up period, there was a statistically significant decrease from before the trial (p-value < 0.05). After the experiment, the experimental group had a mean perceived score, mean behavior score and mean blood pressure significantly higher than the control group (p-value < 0.05). Therefore, the health promotion program affects the self-care behavior among patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

Factors affecting Coronavirus disease 2019 infection among health volunteers in Wang Nuea District, Lampang Province

Kanyapat Kidarn — 2023-12-13

The health volunteers were the important front-line people in surveillance and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) control; however, they are at risk of disease infection. The cross-sectional study aimed to study the characteristics, health literacy, prevention behaviors, COVID-19 infection, and factors affecting COVID-19 infection among health volunteers in Wang Nuea District. The 302 samples of health volunteers in Wang Nuea District were selected by using the multistage sampling method. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis.
The results showed that most of the study subjects were female (80.1%), had an age average of 51.33 years old, were married (76.5%), went to primary school (52.3%), occupation was agricultural workers (62.3%), and had an average of years of working experience of 12.53 years. The level of health literacy: knowledge, and decision-makingwere at high levels (85.8% and 61.6%), the assessment of health information and health services, communication, self-management, and media literacy were at moderate levels (53.0%, 54.6%, 55.3%, and 54.3%, respectively) and prevention behaviors of COVID-19 was at high levels (82.1%). Factors significantly affecting COVID-19 infection were gender, age, education, health literacy of communication, health literacy of self-management, and prevention behaviors of COVID-19 (p-value < 0.05). Thus, a health organization should promote health literacy and disease prevention behaviors of COVID-19 to improve the health volunteers' adequacy performance.