Assessing the Impact of Feeding Stray Dogs on Stray Dog-Related Issues: A Community-Based Study in Songkhla, Thailand

Authors

  • Afia Saree Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Anda Klinpikul Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Apissara Kongchu Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Arya Wongaree Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Bussabong Navykarn Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Chaowanet Songsakul Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Chayapa Kongsuwan Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Chuttama Kiewlek Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Hillmee Waesalaemae Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Isarawadee Sarasutjari Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Jehrusdee Benjama Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Napak Thongprasert Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Nathchanon Sukchaiya Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Nititon Suksai Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Pakjira Jongthitinon Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Pattiya Chorueangsak Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Pattamaporn Kiattisaksophon Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Pawanya Boonbandan Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Phansang Sanguthai Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Ponnapat Apiwatgaroon Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Pornlapat Rattanakhot Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Prapasiri Poomivanichakij Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Sattawat Kao-ian Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Supatcha Thongchai Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Surathep Ongprakobkul Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Tanabadee Sritulakan Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Thanatcha Saisrikosol Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Sikarin Sae Jong Department of Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Jutapoln Sunghan Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Panya Chamroonkiadtikun Department of Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
  • Polathep Vichitkunakorn Department of Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31584/jhsmr.20231008

Keywords:

dog-related problems, stray dogs, stray dog feeding, Thailand

Abstract

Objective: Increasing stray dog populations have transformed stray dog issues from a third-world problem to a global public health priority. This study aimed to determine factors related to feeding stray dogs and other factors that can impact stray dog-related issues.
Material and Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Songkhla, Thailand, from the 4th to the 29th of January 2021. Data was collected via phone interviews. Logistic regression was performed to measure the association between the independent variables and problems related to stray dogs.
Results: Among 168 participants, 137 (81.5%) reported having experienced a negative impact in connection with problems caused by stray dogs. The most common problem was garbage scavenging (62.5%), which predominantly occurred between 18:00 and midnight. Feeding stray dogs was significantly associated with stray dog-related problems (odds ratio [OR]=3.94 with a 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-17.41).
Conclusion: Providing food to stray dogs causes problems and is also prohibited by law. It is important for media, community leaders, and other influential groups to create awareness and foster cooperation among communities to address this issue.

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Published

2024-03-28

How to Cite

1.
Saree A, Klinpikul A, Kongchu A, Wongaree A, Navykarn B, Songsakul C, Kongsuwan C, Kiewlek C, Waesalaemae H, Sarasutjari I, Benjama J, Thongprasert N, Sukchaiya N, Suksai N, Jongthitinon P, Chorueangsak P, Kiattisaksophon P, Boonbandan P, Sanguthai P, Apiwatgaroon P, Rattanakhot P, Poomivanichakij P, Kao-ian S, Thongchai S, Ongprakobkul S, Sritulakan T, Saisrikosol T, Sae Jong S, Sunghan J, Chamroonkiadtikun P, Vichitkunakorn P. Assessing the Impact of Feeding Stray Dogs on Stray Dog-Related Issues: A Community-Based Study in Songkhla, Thailand. J Health Sci Med Res [Internet]. 2024 Mar. 28 [cited 2024 May 3];42(3):e20231008. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jhsmr/article/view/269868

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Original Article