Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University

Transmission, Detection and Disinfection of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Water Sources

Sitthichai Chaikhan, Somjate Thongdamrongtham, Supanee Junsiri — Wed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 +0700

After further studying the SARS-CoV-2 virus and observing a decreasing trend in its spread, there is still an ongoing outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Thailand, especially during significant festivals such as the Songkran Festival of the year 2567. During this festival, 1,004 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, averaging 143 daily cases. This article presents an examination of the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in water sources and describes methods for detecting and eliminating the virus in water. The virus can persist in untreated water at 23°C for 2-4 days. Contaminated water used for drinking or direct contact can lead to COVID-19 infection. Studies have found that communities lacking public resources have higher rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection than the general population. Wastewater from communities can contain genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus at concentrations ranging from 0.33 to 149.90 copies/L/person. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) remains popular for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in water to measure RNA quantities of the virus. Common methods to kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus in water accessible to the general public include boiling water at a minimum temperature of 65°C for 30 minutes or boiling it at 100°C for 1 minute. Chemicals such as strong chlorine-based agents like concentrated hydrochloric acid (HClO₂) at 0.41-0.74 mg/L, with just 1 minute of contact time, or sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) at a concentration of 0.54 mg/L, can destroy the virus in water by up to 99%. Therefore, vigilance to prevent and control the spread of the disease remains crucial.

Outcome of newborn hearing screening program at Krabi Hospital

Thoranit Limpakornkul — Thu, 23 May 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The neonatal hearing screening incorporates various protocols utilizing Otoacoustic Emission (OAE). Early screening for hearing in newborns results in children receiving early language rehabilitation. The current study aims to investigate the outcome of newborn hearing screening using OAE. A prospective descriptive cross-sectional study collected data from newborns at Krabi Hospital between September 1 and September 30, 2023. Newborns were screened with OAE in the wards, and the results were documented in medical records. Newborns who failed ("refer") the first screening test were asked to return for a repeat screening by audiologists to confirm pathological results. The total results were documented in medical records. The research revealed that a total of 96 newborns underwent utilizing OAE. Only 8.3% of newborns who failed ("refer") the first screening test underwent a complete diagnostic hearing assessment before 2 days old, which was 43.7%. After re-screening with OAE, the results showed the % of re-screening with OAE within 30 days was 62.5%. It is imperative to underscore that this research did not ascertain any instances of hearing loss among the newborn cohort. Nevertheless, the discerning practice of universally screening all newborns via OAE remains paramount, given the profound repercussions on the quality of life associated with belatedly detecting hearing impairment.

Social media literacy on sexuality and factors related to sexual harassment prevention behaviors among university students in Chon Buri province

Khwanchira Summa, Benjapron Aumwong, Saowanee Thongnopakun — Thu, 23 May 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Social media is becoming more important in daily life, especially among adolescents and youths. Sexual harassment can occur if adolescents and youths lack social media literacy regarding sexuality. This cross-sectional survey study aimed to study social media literacy regarding sexuality and factors related to sexual harassment prevention behaviors among undergraduate university students. The sample group consisted of 371 university students from Chonburi Province. During the academic year 2022, utilizing Wayne W. Daniel's calculating formula with a 95% confidence level. Data was collected through an online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, and Chi-square analysis statistics were used to analyze the data. According to the findings of the study, the majority of university students were female, 83.0%. The sample group had been harassed from disclosing information at 26.7%, University students had sexual social media literacy at a moderate level, 88.1%, awareness of sexual harassment at high level, 96.2%, and had high level of sexual harassment prevention behaviors at 89.5%. According to an association analysis, the factors related to sexual harassment prevention behaviors (p<0.05) were as follows: sex, nightlife, social media literacy regarding sexuality, and awareness of sexual harassment. As a result of the study's findings, programs to improve social media literacy about sexuality should be developed so that students can engage in appropriate and safe sexual harassment prevention behaviors.

Performance of serum quadruple test in screening for fetal Down syndrome unselected population in Phibunmungsahan hospital

Thunrada Datamporn — Thu, 23 May 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The current study aimed to assess the quadruple test's effectiveness in detecting fetal Down syndrome (DS). We analyzed the assay performance by screening the pregnant women registered in our setting from January 2020 to December 2022. A total of 1,116 pregnant women were screened with complete follow-ups, and five fetuses were affected by DS. It was found that the assay performance was as follows: sensitivity was 80.0% (95%CI 77.6-82.3), specificity was 84.8% (95%CI 82.7-86.9), false-positive rate was 15.1% (95%CI 13.0-17.3), negative predictive value was 99.9% (95%CI 99.7-100.0), and accuracy was 84.5% (95%CI 82.6-66.9). In summary, the quadruple screening test is highly effective and could be used to screen DS.

Characteristics of particulate matter emissions from a ten-year-old diesel pickup truck in laboratory driving simulations

Wed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This study aimed to investigate the emissions of particulate matter (PM) from the combustion of a 10-year-old diesel pickup truck under simulated driving conditions of urban and extra-urban cycles according to the United Nations Regulation 83 (UN R83) standard. The real-time monitoring of PM concentrations was measured using a Portable Aerosol Spectrometer Dust Detector (PAS, GRIMM model 11D) for TSP, PM10, PM4, PM2.5, PM1, inhalable dust, thoracic dust, and respirable dust. The results showed that driving in urban and extra-urban conditions released high average concentrations of TSP (46.72 µg/m³ and 43.05 µg/m³, respectively) and inhalable dust (46.25 µg/m³ and 41.93 µg/m³, respectively). Most of the PM concentration emitted during both driving conditions increased when accelerating driving speeds and decreased when decelerating driving speeds. However, during a deceleration step of 100-0 km/h in extra-urban conditions, the concentrations of TSP, Inhalable dust, and Thoracic dust slightly increased. It may result from particle accumulations in the exhaust system and the PMs are released during deceleration. Although the concentration comparison showed no significant difference between urban and extra-urban conditions, driving patterns with frequently abrupt speed changes led to an inefficient engine operation, causing higher PM emissions. Therefore, reducing driving behavior with sudden and frequent speed changes, improving the traffic system, and efficiently planning traffic routes can reduce the release of PM emissions from vehicles into the atmosphere.

Bedtime procrastination, sleep result and self-regulation in strengthening track medical student

Natchapon Pattala, Korn Chaiyawat, Chaiyakit Udnan — Wed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate sleep procrastination, sleep outcomes, self-regulation, and examine the relationship between sleep procrastination and sleep outcomes and self-control among medical students enrolled in the strengthening track. Data were collected from three medical education centers: Somdejphrajaotaksin Maharaj Hospital, Phichit Hospital, and Phrae Hospital, with a total of 124 cases, using online questionnaires adapted from the Bedtime Procrastination Scale during August 2022. The data were analyzed using inferential statistics, including the chi-square test, at a statistical significance level of 0.05. The results indicated that the medical students who responded to the online questionnaire had an average age of 30.36 ± 1.37 years. Among them, 64 individuals had moderate levels of sleep procrastination, accounting for 51.6 percent. Regarding sleep outcomes, 88 students reported sleeping fewer than 6 hours per day, accounting for 71.0 percent. Additionally, 74 students felt tired during the day for more than 3 days a week and believed they did not get enough sleep for more than 3 days, representing 59.7 percent. Regarding self-control, it was found that the majority of medical students had a moderate level, totaling 111 individuals, which accounted for 89.5 percent. Furthermore, the results revealed significant relationships between sleep procrastination and various sleep outcomes, including the number of hours of sleep, tiredness, adequacy of sleep, as well as self-control and action control.

Predicting the number of neonatal deaths in Thailand using grey system theory

Jintaphon Rattanahon, Vadhana Jayathavaj — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The infant mortality rate is an indicator of a country's level of development. Forecasting can be used as a guideline for health resource administration. This research aimed to predict the number of neonatal deaths in Thailand by health region in fiscal year 2024 using Grey System Theory. Data was collected to develop the model from the statistics report on the number of neonates who died less than or equal to 28 days after birth from the fiscal year 2014 to 2024 from the Ministry of Public Health (processing date: March 9, 2024). The results showed that the GM (1,1) models had a development coefficient (a) of nine health regions between , the models were suitable for short-term forecasts. The improved GM (1,1) expanded with a periodic correction model had a lower mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) than the GM (1,1) model in every health region. The MAPE in all health region was less than 10 in the criteria for high accuracy, except for 1, 8, and 13, which were between 10 and 20 in the good prediction criteria. Predicting the number of neonatal deaths in the fiscal year 2024, every health region decreased from the fiscal year 2023, except health region 8, 10, and 11, which increased by 3.89, 6.97, and 6.80, respectively. The proportion of the number of neonatal deaths for fiscal year 2024 (processed only up to March 9, 2024) as a percentage of the predicted value in every health region was less than 43.99 percent, of which the proportion by the number of days in fiscal year 2024, except health region 1, 3, 6, and 12, accounted for 57.65, 46.54, 46.03, and 49.20 percent, respectively.