Journal of Health Science and Alternative Medicine

Industrial Noise Measurement and Noise Contour Mapping: A Case Study in Power Plant, Rayong Province, Thailand

Somboon Chaiprakarn — 2024-04-30

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the noise level in a working environment and to illustrate noise contour maps to define areas for wearing personal protective equipment in the electricity production process of the power plant in Rayong province.

Methods: The measurement of noise levels was divided into all areas, a total of 1,700 points, using the sound level meter model NL-42EX (Class2) standardized by IEC61672 Type2, ANSI S1.4, JISC1509-1. Then, the results were illustrated to create the noise contour map and define areas for wearing personal protective equipment.

Results: Compared to the standard noise levels that allowed employees to average receive throughout a day's work in 2018 from the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare, 45 points were detected over the standard level at 85 dB(A) (2.5 %) at the areas of machinery works continuously, steam turbines, gas turbines, steam generators, etc. Protective equipment and measures must be implemented for electricity production workers. To prevent hearing impairment, one should initially wear personal protective equipment, which can reduce noise exposure by Ear Muff. The derated NRR is 24 dB(A), and the sound level of the employee when wearing an ear muff is 65.7 dB(A), which is a safe sound level.

Conclusion: Additionally, a hearing conservation program should be implemented to comply with the legislation and reduce risks to employees' hearing performance.

Keywords: Noise Measurement, Noise contour mapping, Power plant

Effects of Futsal Sports-Specific Training on Neuromuscular Coordination in Youth Male Futsal Players

Pongsakorn Tunintaraarj — 2024-04-30

Introduction: The studying neuromuscular coordination is integral to futsal training as it provides valuable insights into performance enhancement, injury prevention, optimized training strategies, and talent identification and development. By integrating knowledge of neuromuscular coordination into coaching and training practices, futsal teams can strive for higher levels of success on the court while minimizing the risk of injuries and maximizing the potential of their athletes. This pre-experimental research aimed to evaluate the effect of futsal sports-specific training on neuromuscular coordination in youth male futsal athletes, both before and after 4 and 8 weeks of training.

Methods: The sample was obtained by calculating the sample size to estimate the average population size as the population size was known, totaling 26 youth male futsal athletes, by using a systematic random sampling method. The experiment instrument was a futsal sports-specific one that combined specific futsal training and plyometrics three days a week for eight weeks, finding the Index of item objective congruence (IOC = 1.0). The instruments used to collect data were the FAF's slalom test to assess the change of direction and the eye-body movement test to assess the reaction time. Descriptive statistics include percentages, means, standard deviations, and inferential statistics, including one-way analysis of variance with repeated measures and the Bonferroni test, with statistical significance set at the 0.05 level.

Results: The results found that the futsal athletes had a mean resting heart rate of 75.54 bpm, their heart rate during exercise was 150.16 bpm, and their RPE during exercise was 13.36. When conducting a one-way ANOVA with repeated measures, it was found that only reaction time was significantly different before, the 4th week and after the 8th week of training. Comparing the mean pair, it was found that reaction time decreased significantly both before and after the 4th week, before and after the 8th week, and after the 4th week and after the 8th week.

Conclusion: Futsal sports-specific training is a complex program that influences futsal players' performance, specifically depending on neuromuscular characteristics such as reaction time, agility, and change of direction.

Keywords: Futsal sports-specific training, neuromuscular coordination, futsal player

Ergonomic Risk-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Farmers in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand

Thanasiri Chokthaweepanich — 2024-04-30

Introduction: Farmers are a major group who encounter health problems from their work, particularly musculoskeletal disorders. The musculoskeletal problems of farmers are related to ergonomics in every step of their work. The study aimed to understand ergonomic problems among farmers living in Nakhon Sawan Province.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was applied to identify risks of musculoskeletal disorders related to ergonomic risk among farmers who had registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives system and lived in Thanamaoy Sub-district, Mueang District in Nakhon Sawan Province. The sample size was calculated using Krejcie and Morgan's formula, and 195 participants were required for the analysis. Participants were selected voluntarily. The rapid entire body assessment (REBA) assessment was used to assess ergonomics risk. Participants were interviewed about their body discomfort related to musculoskeletal disorders. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of participants and risk factors.

Results: A total of 195 were recruited into the study; 69.20% were males. The total ergonomic risk was 8.55 REBA (±2.72), presented at a high risk. The mean REBA score in posture of ploughing was 8.33 (±2.75). The mean REBA score in sowing rice seeds and fertilizer was 8.42 (±2.78). The mean REBA score in a posture of the harvest was 8.91 (±2.93). It was found almost hard in the body discomfort assessment at 3.31 ±1.17. According to the total body discomfort, it was found that participants felt mostly in the lower back 4.83, ±.78), thigh 4.78, ±.92), and neck 4.41, ±.92).

Conclusion: Farmers who work on farms are suffering from ergonomic risks, particularly musculoskeletal systems. Effective public health interventions should be introduced to reduce the ergonomic problem among the farmers in Nakhon Sawan Province, Thailand.

Keywords: Ergonomics; Musculoskeletal; Farmers

Prevalence of and Associated Factors with Uncontrolled Hypertension Among Middle-Aged Adults’ Hypertensive Patients in Northeast Thailand

Arunrat Puncha Glingasorn — 2024-04-30

Introduction: Numerous connected factors influence uncontrollable hypertension. Identifying elements influencing blood pressure regulation can provide valuable insights for addressing this issue. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of and identify the factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension among middle-aged adults living in northeast Thailand.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for data collection between January and March 2023. The study population was HT patients. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were used for data analyses with a significance level 0.05.

Results: The majority were females (67.84%), and the overall prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was 37.76% (95% CI = 30.11-46.07). In the multivariable logistic regression, five (5) variables were found to be associated with uncontrolled hypertension: inadequate/problematic applied health information (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 6.09; 95%CI=1.51-8.45), knowledge on herbs for hypertension treatment (AOR=5.33; 95%CI=2.04-13.91), education (AOR=5.06; 95%CI=1.87-13.79), household income (AOR=4.98; 95%CI=2.01-12.33), and drinking use (AOR=2.13; 95%CI=1.01-4.40). Conclusion: It is crucial to promote awareness of self-care practices among individuals with uncontrolled hypertension, especially those who engage in alcohol use, individuals with high income, and those with higher educational attainment.

Keywords: Uncontrolled, Hypertension, Prevalence, Associated factors, Middle-aged adults

Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Auditory and Speech Development in Pre-Lingual Deaf Children After Cochlear Implantation

Arthaya Pongsupatt — 2024-04-30

Introduction: A cochlear implant (CI) is an electronic device provided for deaf patients. Congenitally deaf children generally have delayed speech and language development due to hearing impairment. The aim after implantation is for patients to have speech development the same as normal-hearing children and to be able to communicate with other people by verbal language. However, some children provided with a CI at Siriraj Hospital were still unable to use spoken language and had delayed speech and language development. This study aimed to examine factors that affected the outcomes after cochlear implantation at Siriraj Hospital.

Methods: Sixty pre-lingual deaf children with CI were included in the research, which was a retrospective study. Three main related factors, consisting of age at implantation, duration of hearing deprivation, and multiple disabilities, were reviewed that affected the development in CI patients. The data were collected from Siriraj's outpatient department (OPD) documents between 1 January 2014 and 31 October 2022. The auditory and speech developments of participants in this study were compared with developmental milestones.

Results: The findings showed that 14 patients had auditory and speech developments similar to children with normal hearing (23.3%), and 46 samples experienced delayed developments (76.7%). The duration of auditory deprivation showed significant differences between successful and unsuccessful patients (p-value<0.05), while ages at implantation and multi-disabilities were not statistically different.

Conclusion: The significant factor affecting the auditory and speech development of CI patients from Siriraj Hospital was the duration of auditory deprivation. Samples who had periods of auditory deprivation more than or equal to 1.5 years tended to be more unsuccessful than those ages less than 1.5 years by 5.5 times.

Keywords: Cochlear implant, Auditory deprivation, Hearing loss, Pre-lingual Deafness, Speech development

Yoga as a Complimentary and Alternative Therapy for Premenstrual Syndrome

Kanika Prakhar Kumar — 2024-04-30

Introduction: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to the emotional and physical symptoms that occur one to two weeks before the start of each menstrual period. Yoga has been proven as an alternative treatment for symptomatic relief in menstruation conditions. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of yoga on urban women with premenstrual syndrome.

Methods: An online two-group pre-post experimental study design was conducted on (N=60) women suffering PMS symptoms from major Indian cities. Females having a history of normal menstrual cycle were included in this study. Women with menstrual disorders, physical and mental illness and female already practicing yoga have been excluded from the study. Informed consent and pre-post PMS scores were procured from all the participants. Yoga interventions were practiced for one hour daily, five days a week for 30 days and the control group followed their routine activities.

Result: The present study reported (21.04%) reduction in total premenstrual syndrome symptoms in the yoga group which was highly significant with (p-value=0.001), whereas in the control group only (1.63%) reduction in premenstrual syndrome symptoms, which was not statistically significant with (p-value=0.335) using Wilcoxon test.

Conclusion: Yoga is an effective practice in reducing premenstrual syndrome.

Keywords: Premenstrual Syndrome; Women health; Psycho-physiological health; Yoga practice; Therapy