Thai Journal of Health Education

Effects of an Online Brief Advice Program on Health Behaviors and Blood Pressure among Hypertensive Patients at a General Outpatient Clinic

2026-03-12T09:07:48+07:00

This quasi-experimental study with a two-group pretest–posttest design aimed to examine the effects of an online brief advice program on health behaviors and blood pressure levels among patients with hypertension attending a general outpatient clinic. The sample consisted of 60 patients with uncontrolled hypertension, selected through purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria. The participants were divided into an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). The experimental group received an online brief advice program developed by Therdsak Dechkong, based on the 3As approaches: 1) Affirmation, 2) Ask, and 3) Advice. The program was delivered via the LINE application, totaling four sessions, each lasting approximately 5 - 10 minutes, conducted once a month over a 12-week period. The control group received routine care. The research instruments included: 1) the brief advice program, 2) a health behavior questionnaire, and 3) a brief advice and blood pressure recording form. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze personal data. Paired t-tests were employed to compare dependent variables within groups and the Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Test, and independent t-tests were used to compare differences between groups and the Mann–Whitney U Test, with a statistical significance level of 0.05.

The results revealed that after participating in the online brief advice program, the experimental group demonstrated: 1) a significant increase in mean health behavior scores and a significant reduction in blood pressure levels compared with pre-intervention values (p < 0.05); and 2) The mean health behavior score of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group, while its systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05).

In conclusion, the developed program was effective in improving health behaviors among patients with hypertension and in supporting blood pressure control. The program can be beneficially implemented in populations with hypertension and can also be adapted for use in service delivery processes for patients with other chronic diseases.

The Effects of Minor Game Programs on Physical Fitness for Health in Elementary School Students

2026-01-06T10:41:42+07:00

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of minor game programs on physical fitness for health in elementary school students. The participants consisted of 62 fifth-grade students from Ban Dan Chak Chumchon School, Non Thai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. They were assigned to two groups (31 students each): an experimental group, which participated in a 6-week minor games program (60 minutes per session, 3 days per week), and a control group, which engaged in regular physical activities.

The research results found that the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) in upper-body muscular strength and endurance, abdominal muscle endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, leg muscular strength, and Body Mass Index (BMI) compared to their baseline. The control group showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) only in upper-body muscular strength and endurance and cardiorespiratory endurance; however, no significant differences were found in abdominal muscle endurance, flexibility, leg muscular strength, and BMI. A between-group comparison revealed that the experimental group exhibited significantly greater leg muscular strength than the control group (p < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed in cardiorespiratory endurance and BMI between the two groups. Conclusion The effects of a minor games program on the health-related physical fitness of elementary school students significantly improves physical fitness.

Effectiveness of a Weight Control Program among Overweight Personnel at Pakchong Nana Hospital

2026-01-27T15:44:06+07:00

Overweight and obesity among working-age populations, particularly healthcare personnel, represent significant public health challenges that increase the risk of non-communicable diseases. This study employed a quasi-experimental, two-group pretest–posttest design to investigate the effects of a weight-control program on self-efficacy, outcome expectations, weight-control behaviors, body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference among overweight personnel. Sixty participants were allocated to experimental and comparison groups, with 30 in each. The experimental group participated in the weight-control program, implemented over 12 weeks from October to December 2025. All research instruments underwent content validation, and the reliability coefficients (Cronbach's alpha) for the self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and weight-control behavior scales were 0.81, 0.92, and 0.76, respectively. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and Student’s t-tests, with statistical significance set at p-value < 0.05.

The results demonstrated that, following the intervention, the experimental group had significantly higher self-efficacy and weight-control behavior scores compared to the comparison group (38.26 ± 5.25 vs. 34.53 ± 6.52; p-value = 0.017; and 12.33 ± 2.79 vs. 9.30 ± 2.89; p-value < 0.001, respectively). However, there were no statistically significant differences between groups in outcome expectations, BMI, body weight, or waist circumference (p = 0.165, 0.998, 0.701, and 0.397, respectively). Within-group analyses revealed that the experimental group experienced significant improvements in self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and weight-control behaviors (p-value < 0.05), as well as significant reductions in BMI, body weight, and waist circumference (p-value < 0.001).

In conclusion, the weight-control program, developed based on self-efficacy theory and the transtheoretical model, was effective in enhancing self-efficacy and weight-control behaviors. However, its impact on BMI, body weight, and waist circumference between groups was not evident in the short term. Long-term follow-up is required to evaluate the sustainability of these health outcomes.

The Effect of Preoperative Preparation Program on Preoperative Anxiety among Older Adults with Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Pilot Study

2026-03-09T09:42:56+07:00

This pilot study explored the feasibility of a preoperative preparation intervention for older adults undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and compared mean preoperative anxiety scores at baseline, 3 weeks post-intervention, and 4 weeks post-intervention. Purposive sampling was used to select 10 older adults diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis who were scheduled for total knee replacement. Ten participants completed a four-week preoperative preparation program. Feasibility was evaluated based on recruitment, adherence, retention rates, and anxiety. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the State Anxiety Inventory (Form Y-1), which demonstrated a reliability coefficient of 0.81. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a one-way repeated-measures ANOVA.

The study results showed that all 10 approached participants enrolled, resulting in a 100 percent recruitment rate. Retention and adherence rates were also 100 percent, with every participant completing the pre-intervention assessment and the three-week and four-week post-intervention assessments. For anxiety, the average preoperative anxiety scores at baseline, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks post-intervention differed significantly (p < 0.05). Pairwise comparisons using the Bonferroni method indicated that anxiety scores at 3 weeks (mean = 37.90) and 4 weeks (mean = 24.70) were significantly lower than at baseline (mean = 54.00). The findings indicate that recruiting and retaining participants for a preoperative preparation intervention is feasible, and the program is well accepted among those scheduled for TKA. A large-scale evaluation will determine the intervention's effectiveness on preoperative anxiety among older adults.

The Relationship between Health Literacy and Personal Factors of Parents on Particulate Matter with Diameter Less than 2.5 Micrometer Prevention Behaviors among Young Children

2026-03-02T14:46:19+07:00

This research aimed to study personal factors and the level of health literacy among parents in preventing particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5) exposure in young children, and to examine the relationship between personal factors, health literacy, and parents’ behaviors in preventing PM2.5 exposure in young children. The sample consisted of 347 parents. Data were collected using questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, and Chi-square test.

The results revealed that most participants were female (65.77%) with a mean age of 37 years (S.D. = 9.07). Overall health literacy was at a high level (60.8%). Preventive and monitoring behaviors regarding PM2.5 exposure among young children were also at the high level (76.7%). Factors that showed a strong positive correlation with parents’ PM2.5 preventive behaviors for young children, with statistical significance, included the total health literacy score regarding PM2.5 (r = 0.721). Factors with a low positive correlation included age (r = 0.114) and monthly household income (r = 0.206). Personal factors that were significantly associated with preventive behaviors at the 0.05 level included educational level, occupation, health check-up history, health status of the child, type of residence, and the use of mobile applications for monitoring air quality or dust conditions.

In conclusion, certain personal factors and parents’ health literacy regarding PM2.5 were significantly associated with their behaviors in preventing PM2.5 exposure among young children. This indicates that higher levels of parental health literacy are associated with higher levels of preventive behaviors for young children.

Evaluation of Tele-dentistry Services on Satisfaction and Factors Associated with Tele-dentistry Utilization among Homebound and Bedridden Elderly in Buriram Province

2026-03-17T13:24:16+07:00

Elderly individuals, particularly those who are homebound or bedridden, face significant barriers to accessing dental services. Tele-dentistry has emerged as a key technological solution to mitigate these constraints. This study aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction and identify factors associated with the utilization of tele-dentistry services among homebound and bedridden elderly populations in Buri Ram Province. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 88 homebound and bedridden elderly participants who received tele-dentistry services via the “Moh Phrom” platform in Buri Ram Province during January 2026. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire (IOC = 0.92, Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.89) and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and the Fisher’s Exact Test.

The findings suggest that the majority of respondents were female (76.1%). Overall satisfaction with the tele-dentistry system was at the highest level. The highest-rated domains were the clarity of treatment explanations ( = 4.60, S.D. = 0.62) and savings in time and travel expenses ( = 4.55, S.D. = 0.66). Statistical analysis revealed that perceived ease of use (p = 0.001), quality of consultation (p = 0.001), physical accessibility (p = 0.001), and emergency management (p = 0.015) were significantly associated with the intention to reuse the service. Conversely, gender, age, and data security showed no significant statistical correlation with service reuse (p > 0.05).

Tele-dentistry is an effective innovation for enhancing proactive healthcare access among vulnerable elderly populations. System usability and quality of care serve as primary drivers for technology acceptance and sustained utilization. These findings provide a robust model for developing oral healthcare systems in an increasingly aged society.

Research and Development of the Telehealth Care Model for Older people with Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Who Are Homebound in Bueng Phalai Subdistrict, Kaeng Sanam Nang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

2026-03-09T09:16:28+07:00

Telemedicine has played an increasingly significant role in healthcare service delivery since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, telemedicine services are implemented across a wide range of disease categories, including among homebound older people with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), who require appropriate and accessible healthcare models.

This research and development (R&D) project comprised two phases: research and model development, guided by three objectives: (1) to examine the context and needs for implementing a telehealth model among homebound older adults with chronic NCDs in Bueng Phalai Subdistrict, Kaeng Sanam Nang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province; (2) to develop a telehealth care model; and (3) to evaluate the outcomes of the developed model. The target population consisted of 32 homebound older people with chronic NCDs. The research instrument was a telehealth care model adapted from a participatory telemedicine service system for older adults with chronic NCDs. The intervention was implemented over a three-month period. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

The findings revealed that 100% of participants did not own a smartphone for accessing telemedicine services. The developed model comprised three principal components: community-based services, subdistrict health-promotion services, and hospital-based services. The community-based component was expanded to provide direct home-based care through coordinated community support. Patient satisfaction was high, with scores exceeding 80% across all items. The average service duration was approximately 1–1.5 hours, and patients had direct access to physician consultations. The study concluded that the developed model can be integrated into the existing telemedicine system in Bueng Phalai Subdistrict, enhancing healthcare access for vulnerable populations. Sustained implementation requires continuous strengthening of the community healthcare team.

Predictors of Alcohol Consumption Behavior among Higher Education Students in Chonburi Province

2026-02-19T12:06:50+07:00

Teenage alcohol consumption is a major global issue directly and indirectly affecting physical, mental, and social well-being, leading to long-term health and public health problems. This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to examine the predictors of alcohol consumption behavior among students at an educational institution in Chonburi Province. A sample of 254 students who derived from Bachelor of Public Health and Vocational certificate students using multistage sampling. Samples were collected, during January to March 2024, by using self-administered questionnaire which applies the theory of PRECEDE MODEL including general information, predisposing factors, enabling factors, reinforcing factors and alcohol consumption behaviors. Reliability coefficient obtained for the questionnaire was 0.91 and knowledge about alcohol (KR-20) was 0.71. Several demographic variables and their associations with the alcohol consumption behavior were also examined and analyzed by Multiple linear regression

The results revealed that the majority of respondents were female (83.90%), average aged 20.37 years (S.D. = 1.71) and under Bachelor degree (76.40%). The knowledge and attitudes about alcohol consumption were the moderate level at 46.50 and 54.40 percent respectively. Enabling factors and reinforcing factors were the moderate level (53.90%), and overall alcohol consumption behavior was at a low level (76.80%). After statistical analysis, predisposing factors, namely attitudes toward alcohol consumption, enabling and reinforcing factors showed a statistically significant relationship with alcohol consumption behavior (p < 0.001). The predictor analysis revealed that alcohol consumption behavior was influenced by the factors such as predisposing factor as knowledge about alcohol consumption (B_adj = -0.781, 95%CI = -1.218, -0.344), enabling factor (B_adj = 0.515, 95%CI = 0.294, 0.736) and reinforcing factor (B_adj=0.586, 95%CI = 0.360, 0.812) at a statistical significance (R²= 0.331, p < 0.001). The findings suggest that promoting knowledge about alcohol consumption, fostering negative attitudes toward drinking, and strengthening social support from family and friends for alcohol-free environments are important key to provide for desirable health behavior, thereby controlling alcohol consumption appropriately.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease among Diabetic Patients at Public Health Center 2 (Thung Sawang), Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality, Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

2026-03-12T12:45:18+07:00

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic non - communicable disease and a primary cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end - stage renal disease (ESRD). Diabetic nephropathy is the most common complication among diabetic patients, with a reported prevalence of 43.9%. This cross - sectional analytical research aimed to study the prevalence and factors associated with CKD among diabetic patients receiving treatment at Public Health Center 2 (Thung Sawang), Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality, Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The sample group consisted of diabetic patients treated between 2019 and 2024. Data were retrieved from the electronic medical record database (HosxP XE program). Factors associated with the occurrence of CKD were analyzed using multiple logistic regression, with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

There were 444 diabetic patients at Public Health Center 2 (Thung Sawang), from which 224 participants with complete data were included in the study. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease among these diabetic patients was 16.1%. Most participants were female (63.4%), with an average age of 64.0 ± 10.2 years. Factors significantly associated with CKD included age, triglyceride levels, and the presence of gout (p < 0.05). Specifically, patients aged 60 years or older were 5.907 times more likely to develop CKD than those under 60 (AOR = 5.91, 95%CI: 1.87 - 18.69, p = 0.003). Patients with triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dL or higher were 2.899 times more likely to have CKD (AOR = 2.89, 95%CI: 1.32 - 6.36, p = 0.008), and patients with gout were 7.069 times more likely to have CKD compared to those without gout (AOR = 7.07, 95%CI: 1.89 - 26.36, p = 0.004). Rapid screening for CKD in diabetic patients, monitoring of risk factors, continuous tracking of disease progression, and an efficient referral system can effectively delay the onset of chronic kidney disease in diabetic patients.

Predictors of E-cigarette Use Prevention Behavior Among Secondary School Students in Ongkharak District, Nakhon Nayok Province

2026-03-02T09:19:56+07:00

This predictive correlational study aimed to examine the factors predicting e-cigarette use prevention behaviors among secondary school students in Ongkharak district, Nakhon Nayok province. A sample of 383 students in Grades 7–12 was selected through proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were collected from January to March 2025 using an online structured questionnaire via Google Forms, measuring three predictor variables: attitudes toward e-cigarette use, peer influence, and family bonding. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's product-moment correlation, and stepwise multiple regression.

The finding showed that the three predictors jointly explained 40.3% of the variance in preventive behaviors (R² = 0.403; Adjusted R² = 0.398, F = 85.24, p < 0.001). Family bonding demonstrated the strongest predictive effect (β = 0.38, p < 0.001), followed by attitudes toward e-cigarette use (β = 0.26, p = 0.003) and peer influence (β = 0.19, p = 0.021).

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Electronic Cigarette Use among University Students in Sakon Nakhon Province

2026-03-02T13:57:14+07:00

Electronic cigarettes represent a critical global public health challenge, particularly among youth and university students where the number of users is steadily increasing. Despite Thailand's legal prohibition on the import and sale of e-cigarettes, the prevalence of their use continues to rise. This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with e-cigarette use among 250 university students in Sakon Nakhon Province. Participants were selected using stratified systematic sampling, and data were collected via questionnaires from December 1 to 26, 2025.

The research findings indicated that the participants had a mean age of 19.8 years (S.D.=1.0), with 58.0% being female. Regarding personal history, 17.2% of the students had used conventional cigarettes, and 56.8% had consumed alcohol. While 58.0% of the students possessed a moderate level of knowledge regarding e-cigarettes, 79.6% maintained a negative attitude toward their use. The prevalence of students who had ever used e-cigarettes was 22.8%. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified four key factors significantly associated with e-cigarette use, including a history of conventional cigarette use (AOR = 7.4, 95%CI: 2.9 - 18.7), lack of exposure to anti-vaping advertisements (AOR = 5.6, 95%CI: 2.3 - 13.6), having family members who use e-cigarettes (AOR = 4.8, 95%CI: 1.5 - 15.1), and a history of alcohol consumption (AOR = 4.6, 95%CI: 1.7 - 12.3). Therefore, monitoring for e-cigarette use should be prioritized among high-risk groups, specifically those with a history of smoking or alcohol use and those with family members who vape. Furthermore, it is essential to develop diverse and inclusive anti-vaping media campaigns while integrating them with efforts to reduce conventional cigarette and alcohol consumption to effectively prevent subsequent e-cigarette initiation

Factors Associated with Oral Health Behaviors among Pregnant Women at Phanat Nikhom Hospital, Chonburi

2026-03-17T09:33:19+07:00

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to investigate the relationship between personal factors and oral health literacy with oral health care behaviors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at the Panatnikhom Hospital Clinic, Panatnikhom District, Chonburi Province. The study included 152 participants. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics-frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation-along with inferential statistics, including the Chi-square test and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

The findings indicated that marital status, educational level, and age were significantly associated with oral health care behaviors (p < 0.05), whereas health insurance, occupation, income, gestational age, and number of pregnancies were not related. Regarding oral health literacy, the domains of knowledge and understanding, access to oral health information and services, self-management, media literacy, and decision-making showed significant associations with oral health care behaviors (p < 0.05), while the communication domain demonstrated no significant relationship. The results suggest that promoting oral health literacy and integrating oral health counseling into the antenatal care process are appropriate strategies to enhance pregnant women’s ability to apply oral health knowledge effectively in their daily lives.

Walking Barefoot, Eating Once, Stilling the Mind: Insights from Thai Buddhist Monastic Practices for Holistic Well-Being in the 21st Century

2026-03-20T13:02:57+07:00

The daily practices of Theravāda Buddhist monks, which have been maintained for over 2,500 years in accordance with the Dhamma-Vinaya, demonstrate notable congruence with contemporary health science evidence across multiple dimensions. This article aims to systematically analyze such congruence by integrating three monastic practices—(1) walking the alms round barefoot, (2) consuming food only within the period prescribed by the Vinaya, and (3) performing all daily activities with mindfulness (sati-sampajañña) and sense restraint—with current scientific evidence, in order to propose a holistic health promotion framework applicable to the general population across all age groups within the Thai social context.This study employed an integrative literature review methodology, drawing on international research published in leading journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Scientific Reports, and Nature Communications, as well as the PubMed/PMC database. The findings indicate that all three practices are supported by empirical evidence regarding their physiological and psychological mechanisms for reducing chronic inflammation, regulating metabolic balance, decelerating cognitive decline, and strengthening psychological resilience. Specifically, barefoot walking corresponds to the principles of Earthing/Grounding; time-restricted eating aligns with Intermittent Fasting; and the practice of mindfulness in daily activities is consistent with Mindfulness-Based Interventions.

The results suggest that the Theravāda monastic way of life is not merely a religious system detached from modern life but can serve as a health promotion model increasingly supported by contemporary science. This article therefore proposes a set of age-specific practical guidelines adapted from monastic practices for health promotion, offering a new perspective on the Buddhist heritage as a low-cost, readily applicable health promotion resource for everyday life.