SELF-CARE BEHAVIOR OF BUDDHIST MONKS AND NOVICES IN SRI MUEANG CHUM SUB-DISTRICT, MAE SAI DISTRICT, CHIANGRAI PROVINCE
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Abstract
BACKGROUND : According to the statistics of morbidity of Buddhist monks and novice in Sri Mueang Chum Sub-district found that, the number of chronic non-communicable diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity was increased. The improper self-care may be one of these causes.
OBJECTIVE : To study the knowledge, attitudes, self-care behaviors of Buddhist monks and novices and the relationship of personal factors with the knowledge, attitudes, self-care behaviors of Buddhist monks and novices in Sri Mueang Chum Sub-district, Mae Sai District, Chiangrai Province.
METHODS : This research is a quantitative research. The study population included totally 38 monks and novices residing in Sri Mueang Chum Sub-district, Mae Sai District, Chiangrai province from August 1st to September 30th, 2020. The measurement tool was a questionnaire developed by a researcher, divided into 4 aspects as follows: 8 items of personal factors, 17 items of knowledge, 10 items of attitudes, and 15 items of self-care behaviors. Data were analyzed with percentage, mean, and standard deviation statistics. The correlation was tested using Chi-Square, Fisher Exact test, t-test, F-test. The statistical significance was determined at the 0.05 level.
RESULTS: The results showed that all 38 Buddhist monks and novices studied had an average age of 38 years. They had been the Buddhist monks and novices for 10 years on average. Most of them were monks. The knowledge of their self- health care was a low level. The attitude towards self- health care was indicated at the highest level. The self-care behaviors of the Buddhist monks and novices were at a moderate level. There was no significant relationship between the personal factors, including age, the number of years in the monkhood, position, Dhamma education, ordinary education, congenital diseases, annual health check-up and having attended healthcare training with knowledge, attitudes, and self-care behaviors of Buddhist monks and novices.
CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSIONS: The Buddhist monks and novices had a low level of self-health care knowledge and moderate level self-care behaviors, but had the highest level attitude. Therefore, there should be an appropriate promotion of knowledge and health behavior modification that may reduce the problems of chronic non-communicable diseases that may occur in the future.
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References
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