Journal of Health Science and Community Public Health

The Effect of Coconut Shell Pulley-Based Exercise Program on Depression in the Elderly

Tanadech Thamkaew — 2025-09-01

This quasi-experimental study aimed to 1) compare depression levels between the experimental group of older adults who received a coconut shell pulley-based exercise program and a control group, and 2) compare depression levels before and after intervention within the experimental and control groups. The participants were 68 older adults aged 60-75 years in Puanpu Sub-district, Nong Hin District, Loei Province, selected by simple random sampling. They were divided into an experimental group (n = 34) who received the coconut shell pulley-based exercise program and a control group (n = 34) who received conventional health education for 8 weeks. The research instrument was the Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS). Data were analyzed using Independent t-test and Paired t-test with a significance level of 0.05.

The results showed that after the intervention, the experimental group showed a statistically significant reduction in mean depression scores from mild depression level (15.62, S.D. = 2.84) to no depression level (9.47, S.D. = 2.35), with a decrease of 6.15 points (95% CI: 4.86 - 7.44, p-value <0.001). Meanwhile, the control group showed no statistically significant difference in mean depression scores (p-value = 0.133). When comparing between groups after the intervention, the experimental group had significantly lower mean depression scores than the control group by 5.44 points (95% CI: 4.23 - 6.65, p-value <0.001).

The results demonstrate that the coconut shell pulley-based exercise program is an effective intervention for reducing depression among older adults. This program can be applied in communities to promote mental health and prevent depression in older adults.

The Effectiveness of an Oral Health Promotion Program Applying Self-Efficacy Theory on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Elderly Patients with Complete Dentures Receiving Services at the Dental Department, Raman Hospital, Yala Province

Jutharop Tunporn — 2025-09-08

This quasi-experimental study aimed to examine the effectiveness of an oral health promotion program based on the theory of Self-efficacy on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among older adults using complete dentures who received services at the Dental Department of Raman Hospital, Yala Province, Thailand. The study sample comprised 60 elderly patients with oral health problems who were wearing complete dentures. Participants were equally divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 30 individuals in each. The research instruments included: (1) an oral health promotion program based on the theory of Self-efficacy, (2) a personal information record form, and (3) an OHRQoL questionnaire, with scoring criteria adjusted such that higher scores indicated better oral health-related quality of life. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics (independent t-test).

The results showed that, prior to the intervention, the mean OHRQoL score in the experimental group was 46.20 (S.D. = 7.16), while the control group had a mean score of 45.80 (S.D. = 6.73), with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.076). However, one month after the intervention, the mean score in the experimental group increased significantly to 81.76 (S.D. = 1.99), compared to 47.30 (S.D. = 6.63) in the control group (p <0.001). According to the study criteria, this indicated that the experimental group achieved significantly higher oral health-related quality of life than the control group following the intervention.

It is recommended that future studies employ a longitudinal design to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of the oral health promotion program on the oral health-related quality of life in older adults beyond a one-month follow-up period.

Effects of Community-Based Learning Module to Enhance 4Cs for C Competencies in Primary Care at Sirindhorn College of Public Health Khon Kaen

Warangkana Chompoopan — 2025-09-25

The aims of this study were to: 1) explore the effects of a learning module with community-based education in the holistic health promotion course on 4Cs for C (Critical Thinker, Communicator, Collaborator and Creator for Community Engagement) competencies in primary care; and 2) compare academic achievement and students' satisfaction with the learning module. A quasi-experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest design was employed. Participants were 97 second-year students studying in academic year 2024 in the Bachelor of Public Health Program (Community Public Health) at Sirindhorn College of Public Health Khon Kaen. There were four research tools including: 1) The learning management plan focusing on community-based learning; 2) The assessment of 4Cs of 21st Century Learning Skills; 3) The academic achievement test; and 4) The satisfaction questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired samples t-test at the 0.05 significance level.

The results showed that the students demonstrated four key 21st century skills including: 1) Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (x ̅ = 4.05, S.D. = 0.57); 2) Creativity and Innovation (x ̅ = 4.10, S.D. = 0.60); 3) Collaboration, Teamwork and Leadership (x ̅ = 4.16, S.D. = 0.604); and 4) Communications, Information and Media Literacy (x ̅ = 4.13, S.D. = 0.61). The achievement score after using the learning module was 58.06 (S.D. = 8.80), significantly higher than the traditional learning, which was 47.10 (S.D. = 4.33) (Mean difference 10.96, 95%CI: 9.41 to 12.50, p <0.001). The students’ satisfaction with the learning module was reported at a high level (83.51%) and a moderate level (16.49%).

Therefore, all research findings exceeded 3.51, meeting the 21st-century skills criteria, suggesting the promotion of community-based learning modules for enhancing 4Cs competencies in primary care education.

Factors Associated with Positive Results from Colorectal Cancer Screening by Fecal Immunochemical Test among People Aged 50-70 Years in Huaimek District, Kalasin Province

Suchawadee Srimungkhun — 2025-10-06

This analytical case-control study aimed to investigate the factors associated with positive results from colorectal cancer screening by fecal immunochemical test among people aged 50 - 70 years in Huaimek district, Kalasin province. The sample group consisted of 141 people in the case group and 282 people in the control group. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which underwent content validity assessment by three experts, yielding item-objective congruence (IOC) values between 0.67 and 1. The questionnaire was pilot-tested in 30 individuals with similar characteristics to the study population, demonstrating high reliability with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.90 for health behaviors and 0.94 for health literacy. Descriptive statistics included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and range, while inferential statistics were analyzed using multiple logistic regression at a significance level of 0.05.

The results showed that the factors significantly associated with positive results from colorectal cancer screening by fecal immunochemical test (p-value <0.05) were history of abnormal gastrointestinal symptoms (ORadj = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.19 - 4.05, p-value = 0.011), inadequate and problematic health literacy regarding access to colorectal cancer information (ORadj = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.08 - 3.05, p-value = 0.023), as well as inadequate and problematic health literacy regarding the application of health information in self-care (ORadj = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.20 - 3.83, p-value = 0.010).

It could be suggested that the current guidelines should be revised to mandate at least annual FIT screening for individuals at heightened risk. In parallel, proactive community-level health literacy initiatives must be intensified by creating user-friendly, actionable educational resources and by expanding accessible channels through which the public can readily consult qualified health professionals.

Factors Associated with Depression among Elderly People with Type 2 Diabetes in Ban Dung District, Udon Thani Province

Tanya Pantachai — 2025-10-06

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to examine the prevalence of depression and associated factors among elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes in Ban Dung district, Udon Thani province. The sample consisted of 346 elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes, selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire validated by three experts, with an item-objective congruence index ranging from 0.67 to 1.00, and an overall reliability coefficient (Cronbach’s alpha) of 0.91. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and inferential statistics using multiple logistic regression.

The findings revealed that most elderly participants did not experience depression, accounting for 93.06%, while 6.94% (95% CI: 4.49-10.10) exhibited moderate to severe depression. Statistically significant factors associated with depression (p <0.05) included age, daily living ability, health behaviors, and social support. Elderly individuals aged 70 years and above were 5.60 times more likely to develop depression than those aged 60-69 (OR_adj = 5.60; 95% CI = 1.87-16.79; p = 0.002). Participants with dependency in daily living activities had 3.68 times higher odds of depression than independent individuals (OR_adj = 3.68; 95% CI = 1.21-11.14; p = 0.021). Those with poor health behaviors had 2.74 times greater risk compared to those with healthy behaviors (OR_adj = 2.74; 95% CI = 1.02-7.38; p = 0.046). Furthermore, elderly individuals with low social support were 5.90 times more likely to experience depression (OR_adj = 5.90; 95% CI = 1.93-18.02; p = 0.002).

The study suggests that health agencies should establish systematic depression screening programs for elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes focusing on high-risk groups—those aged 70 years and above, those with dependency, poor health behaviors, or inadequate social support. In addition, promoting healthy behaviors, self-care practices, and active involvement of family and community are essential to enhance quality of life among elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Factors Related to Tuberculosis Preventive Behavior among Household Contacts with Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Udon thani Province

Yaraporn Promwang — 2025-10-07

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to investigate factors associated with tuberculosis prevention behaviors among household contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Udon Thani Province. The sample consisted of 275 household contacts selected through multi-stage random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire with a Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of 0.90. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression.

The results showed that tuberculosis prevention behaviors among household contacts were at a moderate level 54.91%. Overall health literacy of tuberculosis prevention behaviors were at a very good level 64.36%. Factors significantly associated with good tuberculosis prevention behaviors included: good health literacy in self-management skills (OR_adj: 3.11, 95% CI: 1.55-6.23; p-value 0.001), good media literacy (OR_adj: 3.16, 95% CI: 1.52-6.61; p-value 0.001), and good decision skill (OR_adj: 3.36, 95% CI: 1.72-6.55; p-value <0.001). This study indicates that health literacy in self-management skills, media literacy, and decision skill are associated with good tuberculosis prevention behaviors.

Therefore, relevant agencies should develop activities to promote health literacy among household contacts to prevent the spread of tuberculosis.