Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University

Operations of OV/CCA model among people in Huai-Bon reservoir area under the royal development projects, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Wanchai Seehavong — 2024-12-16

The study was an action research project aimed at investigating the operational model of liver fluke disease prevention and cholangiocarcinoma among people in the Huai Bon reservoir area as part of the Royal Initiative in Ubon Ratchathani. It followed the concept of Kemmis & McTaggart, divided into 3 phases: 1) studying the health literacy situation and prevalence of freshwater fish in the river around Huai Bon Reservoir, 2) developing a model to build knowledge and prevention behaviors for liver fluke disease and cholangiocarcinoma with the target audiences, and 3) evaluating the knowledge and disease prevention behavior of the target audiences. The study was conducted between March and December, 2022. The target audience includes the following: officers in charge of work from the District Health Office, Sub-District Health Promoting Hospital, teachers, the mayor of local government organizations, sub-district leaders, village chiefs, village health volunteers, student leaders, and at-risk populations. Quantitative data was analyzed with descriptive statistics and a Pair Sample t-test, while qualitative data was analyzed with content analysis. The results indicate that the health literacy model for preventing liver fluke and cholangiocarcinoma includes the following steps: 1) planning, 2) studying the situation, 3) building health literacy through awareness campaigns on safe food and parasite-free fish including knowledge about liver fluke disease and cholangiocarcinoma and advocating the establishment of a sewage treatment system, and 4) monitoring and evaluation. The average score for knowledge of liver fluke disease prevention before and after the operation showed a statistically significant difference at 0.05 level in all skills. It is recommended to develop health literacy in at-risk populations and network with partners at district and sub-district levels to manage community health and sustainably prevent liver fluke disease effectively.

The relationship between knowledge and attitudes with food consumption behavior of the elderly, Wang Saphung subdistrict, Loei province

Suradech Chaitokkia — 2024-12-16

This cross-sectional descriptive research aimed to: 1) assess the levels of knowledge about food consumption, attitudes toward food consumption, and food consumption behaviors among the elderly; and 2) explore the relationships between knowledge about food consumption, attitudes toward food consumption, and food consumption behaviors of the elderly. The sample group comprised 254 elderly individuals from Wang Saphung subdistrict, Loei Province. Data were collected through interviews conducted between June and July 2022. The reliability of the research instrument was tested using the Kuder-Richardson (KR-20) method for knowledge about food consumption (0.84), and Cronbach's alpha coefficient for attitudes toward food consumption (0.82) and food consumption behaviors (0.86). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Relationship analysis employed Pearson's correlation coefficient. The study revealed that the majority of the sample group had a high level of knowledge about food consumption (63.0%), while attitudes toward food consumption (93.3%) and food consumption behaviors (99.2%) were both at moderate levels. Notably, knowledge about food consumption showed a weak negative correlation with food consumption behaviors of the elderly (r = -.158, p = 0.012), whereas attitudes toward food consumption demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with food consumption behaviors of the elderly (r = .506, p < 0.001). Based on these results, it is recommended to implement policies or activities that enhance positive attitudes toward food consumption to encourage appropriate eating behaviors among the elderly, thereby promoting better health and nutritional status.

Application of modified tap water treatment sludge as a phosphorus adsorbent in aerobic wastewater treatment systems affected by eutrophication from cyanobacteria

Anootsara Sarak — 2024-12-16

This research aims to study the impact of initial pH levels on the phosphorus adsorption capacity and to create an adsorbent from modified tap water treatment sludge capable of removing phosphorus from wastewater in treatment systems affected by cyanobacteria-induced eutrophication. The adsorbent was prepared from used water treatment sludge, which was calcined at 600°C for 10 hours, followed by grinding and sieving to obtain a particle size of 270 µm. The phosphorus adsorption capacity of this adsorbent was tested with phosphorus concentrations ranging from 50 to 500 mgP/L and pH levels from 3 to 11 over 72 hours. The phosphorus content in the form of orthophosphate was analyzed using the ascorbic acid method, with three replicates per experiment. The results showed that the modified tap water treatment sludge adsorbent had a specific surface area of 19.59 m²/g and a total pore volume of 0.079 m³/g. The key heavy metal components affecting adsorption included aluminum, iron, and calcium. When the initial phosphorus concentration was 500 mgP/L and the pH was neutral at 7-9, the maximum phosphorus adsorption values were 13.71 and 12.85 mgP/L, respectively. The researchers found these conditions to be the most optimal for phosphorus adsorption in this wastewater. Therefore, modified tap water treatment sludge can be effectively used as an adsorbent for phosphorus removal from wastewater.

Factors associated to rabies preventive behaviors among people in sikhoraphum district surin province

Chayangkun Chuenta — 2024-12-16

Rabies is a life-threatening infectious disease, and despite ongoing efforts, fatalities from the disease are still reported each year. This cross-sectional analytical study investigates the factors related to rabies prevention behaviors among residents of Sikhoraphum District, Surin Province. The study involved 342 participants selected using multi-stage sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient greater than 0.7. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to analyze the factors related to rabies prevention behaviors through multiple linear regression, with the stepwise method. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. The study found that 53.2% of the participants owned pets, and 49.4% had been bitten or scratched. Factors significantly associated with rabies prevention behaviors included decision-making skills in rabies prevention and control, self-management skills for rabies prevention, gender, and unemployment (P<0.05). These factors together explained 45.6% of the variance in rabies prevention behaviors. The most influential factor was decision-making skills in rabies prevention and control, with an effect size of 0.47. Therefore, relevant agencies should conduct educational training, particularly regarding rabies vaccination, targeting specific groups based on gender and employment status. Additionally, they should develop programs to enhance decision-making and self-management skills for effective rabies prevention in accordance with strategic plans.

Creating and validating of preliminary health and safety survey (HS) form for a Thai university

Chatchai Chatchoengchao — 2024-12-16

This research and development study design was aimed to creating and validating create of preliminary health and safety survey (HS) form for a Thai university. There were steps for reviewing the literature, creating, and evaluating surveys form. The sample group of this study consisted of 7 expert examiners and 30 experimental subjects. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed. The results of the study found that 1) the process of reviewing the literature, examined the ScienceDirect and PubMed databases, and found 374 studies selected from titles and abstracts relevant to the study's topic. Six of them passed the quality assessment according to the principles of PICOs. 2) The survey was created based on the safety model in three part of higher education institutions: safety culture, safety environment, and safety policy, and considering the items questions of 6 research studies that passed the quality selection and obtained a survey consisting of 27 items. 3) Evaluation, the HS survey was validated using an index of item objective congruence (IOC) according to the objectives, academic content, and language used by 7 experts in occupational health and safety. The usability of the questionnaire was assessed in groups of 15 people in occupational health and safety professionals’ group and the general public group. The Cronbach's alpha reliability of the overall questionnaire was found to be 0.756. And when comparing the survey scores of the two groups, it was found that there was no difference. In conclusion, this survey can be used by both occupational health knowledge groups and the general public. However, further study should be carried out to determine the predictive validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability.

The effects of godmother capacity development program on dental health promotion for children 0-3 years in Pathum Sub-district, Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Chanyaon Khamsang — 2024-12-16

This quasi-experimental research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a capacity development program for godmothers in promoting dental health among children aged 0-3 years in Pathum Sub-district, Mueang District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. A total of 64 village public health volunteers participated in the study, with 32 assigned to the experimental group and 32 to the comparison group. Participants were selected through purposive random sampling. The experimental group participated a 12-week capacity development program focused on promoting dental health for children aged 0-3 years, comprising seven distinct activities and grounded in human resource development theory. In contrast, the comparison group received training based on the standard annual dental health program. Data collection was conducted from January to May 2024, using a questionnaire to assess participants' knowledge of dental care for children aged 0-3 years and their skills in providing oral health care. Statistical analysis involved an independent t-test to compare post-intervention outcomes between the experimental and comparison groups, and a paired-sample t-test to assess changes within each group. The results revealed that, after the intervention, the mean score for dental care knowledge in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the comparison group (Mean diff. = 3.125, 95% CI = 2.030-4.220, p < 0.05). Similarly, the experimental group demonstrated a significant improvement in dental healthcare skills compared to the comparison group (Mean diff. = 11.844, 95% CI = 11.170–12.518, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the capacity development program for godmothers is an effective strategy for enhancing the dental health knowledge and skills of public health volunteers, thereby contributing to improved oral health care for children aged 0-3 years in the community. Moreover, the program could serve as a model for planning referral systems for children with dental health issues.

Factors associated with stunting in ethnic children aged 0-5 years and synthesis of district health system guidelines for stunting growth management in Hod District, Chiang Mai Province

Kawinthida Singtha — 2024-12-16

The purpose of this study was to examine the causes of stunting and compile recommendations for the district health system to address stunting among ethnic children aged 0–5 years in Hot District, Chiang Mai Province. The study was conducted in two phases. In Phase 1, factors contributing to stunting among 261 ethnic children were investigated. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using two-group logistic regression. In Phase 2, district health system guidelines were developed based on input from seven stakeholders. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews guided by the Six Building Blocks framework, and content analysis was employed for interpretation. The findings revealed that children who consumed only 1–2 boxes or glasses of milk per day had a 4.875- and 2.785-fold higher risk of stunting, respectively, compared to children who consumed 5–6 boxes or glasses daily (p-values = 0.05 and 0.03). Children fed a diet of rice and vegetables were 2.159 times more likely to experience stunting compared to those whose diets included rice, vegetables, and meat (p-value = 0.02). Additionally, children who slept only 6–8 hours per night had a 2.967 times higher likelihood of stunting compared to those who slept more than 10 hours per night (p-value = 0.03). Based on these findings, guidelines for the district health system were developed. Recommendations included clearly defining stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities, such as educating health workers, using the information and technology system to assess children's nutritional status, and strengthening service systems to reduce stunting among ethnic children. Local administrative organizations were encouraged to support health-related expenses, communicate effectively via online media, and implement and manage systems with an emphasis on providing proper models for raising ethnic children.