Journal of Health Science of Thailand

Introduction

2025-10-28T14:16:40+07:00

Content

2025-10-28T14:02:12+07:00

Full Issue

2025-10-28T13:51:43+07:00

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depression in a Super-Aged Society: a Cross-Sectional Study in Na Noi District, Nan Province, Thailand

2024-02-04T12:27:51+07:00

In 2022, Thailand has completely entered the elderly society (Aged Society) by 20 percent of the total population are people aged ≥60 years and expecting to be super-aged society within 15 years, which means more than 20 percent of total population are people aged ≥65 years. The elderly group are considered a high risk of various diseases with non-specific symptoms, described as geriatric syndromes. The important effects caused to be disability and dependency. They will have to stay in the hospital longer time and also causes over medication. Depression is a one of geriatric syndrome, effects both of themselves and caregivers. Previous study has shown that there are varies factors related to the elderly depression, depend on different places and cultures. Therefore, to analyzes the factors, should be doing in specific places to study the real causes and to appropriately intervention. In year 2023, Nanoi District has completely entered the Super-Aged Society. There are 20.0 percent of total population are aged ≥65 years old. Therefore, we are conducting research on the elderly depression who under the Nanoi hospital services to understand the factors effected to it, and plan to promote the supportive prevention factors.

Objectives

To find the prevalence of depression in elderly aged ≥60 years old who taking services at geriatric outpatient clinics, Nanoi Hospital.
And to study the associated factors of it.

Method Cross sectional-Analytic study by collecting data interview randomly from the elderly aged ≥60 years who taking services at geriatric outpatient clinics, by approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee, Public Health Office Nan Province. Collected data by interviewing and physical examination. Factors effecting depression analysis by Logistic regression, SPSS program version 21.

Results From 191 sampling, the prevalence of depression (TGDS-15 ≥6), found 27.7 percent. The effective factor was risk of malnutrition (MNA-short form) score <12 (AOR 12.61; Cl 2.89-55.06; p-value <0.001). Living alone (AOR 11.82; Cl 1.53-91.46; p-value 0.02). Insomnia and using drugs for sleeping (AOR 16.55; Cl 3.09-88.64; p-value 0.001). Insomnia but not using drugs for sleeping (AOR 4.41; Cl 1.39-13.96; p-value 0.01). Slim proportion (AOR 0.26; Cl 0.07-0.99; p-value 0.05). But underweight (BMI ≤18.5) we found that protective factor in our study.

Conclusion The highlight of this study is to study the areas entered to elderly society completely (Super-aged Society). Meanwhile, some areas are going into Aged-Society. This study may be used as guidelines for preparing and set up policies dealing with Thailand Super-aged Society in near future.

Keywords: Elderly; Depression; Super-aged Society

A study of pulmonary function test of motorcycle taxi in Bangpli District, Samutprakarn province.

2023-02-01T13:33:50+07:00

At present, the weather in Bangkok and its vicinity is increasing of pollution everyday and most from the traffic is dense. Affects human health, chronic illness is caused by exposure from breathing in high concentrations of air pollution into the lungs. Motorcycle taxi drivers may risk from dust and air pollution due to they are on the road every time, so it gets air pollution all the time and there is a risk of respiratory disease.

The purpose of this study was to compare the lung capacity of motorcycle taxi drivers and office worker by used spirometer contains the value vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC%. The sample consisted of 80 people to consist of motorcycle taxi and office worker each 40 people, analyze data with t-test statistics.

The research results were as follows: vital capacity (VC) was significantly different at .05 level, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC% are no statistical differences. The results of this study concluded that dust particle on the road in Samutprakarn does not affect to the level of lung capacity of motorcycle taxi drivers.

Key words: pulmonary function test, spirometry, motorcycle taxi

Factors Influencing Vaccination Coverage of Children 0-5 Years Old in Tapoyo Subdistrict, Yi-ngo District, Narathiwat Province, Fiscal Year 2022

2024-02-13T16:35:15+07:00

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the coverage of basic vaccination among children aged 0-5 years in Tapo Yao Subdistrict, Yi-ngo District, Narathiwat Province, during the fiscal year 2022. A cross-sectional analytical study design was employed, and data were collected from 198 parents through cluster sampling. The data collection was carried out in January 2023 using a questionnaire designed to assess knowledge of basic vaccines, with a discrimination power of 0.20. Beliefs in supporting basic vaccination and satisfaction with services were also evaluated, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.70 and 0.80, respectively. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and logistic regression analysis, were utilized for data analysis. The results revealed that the majority of the sample comprised females (89.40%), aged 30-40 years (47.00%), and married individuals (88.90%). The knowledge level regarding basic vaccines was found to be moderate in 58.10% of participants; while 50.50% demonstrated a high level of belief in supporting basic vaccination. It was observed that parents with a moderate level of belief in supporting vaccination were 86.00% less likely to have children aged 0-5 years who achieved the basic vaccination coverage criteria (AOR=0.14, 95%CI: 0.03–0.77). Furthermore, parents who had never been followed up by public health officials regarding basic vaccination were 98.00% less likely to have children aged 0-5 years who met the basic vaccination coverage criteria (AOR=0.02, 95%CI: 0.01–0.11). Therefore, it was recommended that public health agencies at all levels in Narathiwat Province implement policies and measures aimed at providing accurate knowledge and correcting beliefs about basic vaccination for Muslim children through various channels. Moreover, the system for monitoring basic vaccination in children aged 0-5 years should be enhanced to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Health Impacts Assessment of waste pickers and waste collectors in developing countries: a systematic review

2023-07-17T10:00:02+07:00

This study aims to (1) review literature and synthesise research on the prevalence of hazards and their health impacts, and (2) investigate the process of Health impact Assessment among occupational waste collectors and segregators in a developing country. The methodology includes a systematic literature review using Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct databases, focusing on publications between 2012 and 2022. The health impact assessment involves three steps: screening, scoping, and assessment. The selection of research articles relies on consensus among three evaluators, with a single expert making final decisions in cases of disagreement. Relevant keywords are identified and used for screening based on predefined criteria. Research quality is evaluated, and the prevalence is determined using the Pool Proportion Rate. Data analysis employs the content analysis method. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of 59,927 research studies, identifying nine papers that met the inclusion and quality assessment criteria. These studies were conducted in six developing countries, namely Malaysia, India, the Philippines, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe. The findings revealed important insights: (1) Among the 2,621 participants in the sample group, a prevalence of hazards and health impacts was found, with a rate of 48.47 95%CI ( 36.4 – 60.60). (2) The Health Impact Assessment process consists of the following three steps: (2.1) The screening process comprised 9 papers, including waste management issues, hazards and health risks, vulnerability, and access to public services. These data were collected from relevant reports and research. Concern is raised about the potential health risks and effects of waste collection and sorting procedures. (2.2) In the scoping process, four papers were utilized to create two-dimensional metrics. Firstly, the dimension focused on personal factors, such as the severity of the problem, relevant risk factors, and personal protective behaviors. Secondly, the dimension pertained to the service system, encompassing waste management policies and plans. (2.3) Health impact assessment can be classified into two formats: risk assessment and the assessment of the magnitude of health problems caused by waste picking and waste collection. However, it is worth mentioning that limitations exist when assessing health impacts within all three processes, primarily due to the inadequate engagement of critical stakeholders in these areas. Therefore, it is essential to consider the comprehensiveness of data across the dimensions of health, economy, and society. In every process, it is crucial to prioritise the participation of waste workers and waste sorting professionals in providing information to ensure the attainment of health impact assessments that can be effectively applied in practice.

Supportive Outdoor Environment Factors: Case Study of Community Hospitals in Central Region of Thailand

2022-07-12T22:27:36+07:00

The natural environment plays a crucial role in fostering healing, reducing stress, and expediting recovery from illness. This study aimed to identify the key factors contributing to physically and mentally supportive outdoor environments in community hospitals within Thailand’s central region. Conducted between March and May 2022, the research involved a comprehensive assessment of outdoor environment characteristics, behavioral mapping, user surveys, and interviews with hospital administrators across three community hospitals in central Thailand. Criteria encompassed safety, accessibility, sense of control, social support, physical activity facilitation, and the provision of natural stress relief. Findings revealed that patients often gravitated towards outdoor spaces adjacent to buildings, particularly those featuring shaded areas, greenery, and amenities such as cafeteria service point. However, evaluations highlighted deficiencies in various aspects of these outdoor environments, with notable exceptions in their capacity to offer natural stress relief. Challenges included budgetary constraints, staffing limitations, and knowledge gaps in outdoor space management were identified. Nevertheless, users acknowledged the benefits of outdoor spaces, aligning with the “Green and Clean” concept, a cornerstone of the Ministry of Public Health’s policies. Consequently, the development of outdoor spaces promoting both physical and mental well-being, through comprehensive environmental enhancements and low-maintenance landscaping strategies, could alleviate budgetary pressures. Moreover, the creation of manuals and implementation of training programs aimed at educating personnel in the effective management and development of these spaces could foster understanding and sustainability in the long term, reducing maintenance burdens.

Rater Reliability for Assessing DMFT in 12 Year-Old Children in Primary School

2024-03-28T12:31:07+07:00

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed important new methods for assessing oral health. It is important to determine which measurement methods need to be included as data on inter-rater and intra-rater reliability as revealed by oral examinations and duplicate oral examinations conducted during the course of surveys. The objective of this study was to describe the use of the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) models for assessing Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) in 12 year-old children in primary school. The inter-rater reliability method, which was developed by a gold standard dentist and the researcher, was utilized with oral examinations in the same 50 students under the WHO criteria and calibrated before oral examinations. The students were blindly chosen by the teacher, who had assigned the children to have oral examinations with the two raters. The intra-rater reliability method, which was developed by the researcher, duplicated oral examinations for same 47 students after the inter-rater reliability assessment in the next week by using the same oral health complied form. Data on the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) was employed to measure as the count data. In addition, the intra-class correlation coefficient was measured, including the 95% confidence interval (95%CI), which presented magnitudes of the mixed-effect model and the random effect model. The mixed-effect model showed inter-rater reliability in assessing Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth and DMFT equal to 0.93 (95%CI: 0.89 - 0.96), 0.00 (95%CI: -0.76 - 0.43), 0.95 (95%CI: 0.91 - 0.97), and 0.95 (95%CI: 0.91 - 0.97), respectively. The random-effect model showed intra-rater reliability in assessing decayed, missing, and filled teeth and a DMFT equal to 0.94 (95%CI: 0.88 - 0.96), 0.00 (95%CI: -0.79 - 0.44), 0.88 (95%CI: 0.79 - 0.94), and 0.96 (95%CI: 0.92 - 0.97), respectively. The mixed-effect model and random-effect model showed excellent inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. The results showed the variance of missing teeth to be zero. As a result, the correlation index was able to be interpreted in terms of rater consistency rather than rater agreement.

Effectiveness of Triage patient-based accident and emergency patient screening criteria of Registered Nurse, Accident and Emergency Department, Mae Ramat Hospital, Tak Province

2023-04-04T11:30:51+07:00

The triage of service recipients in the emergency department is based on grading severity and urgency to ensure quality service. This quasi-experimental study aimed to examine the effectiveness of implementing the emergency patient triage model at Mae Ramat Hospital. The sample included eleven registered nurses and the medical records of patients admitted to accident and emergency departments during August 1, 2020, to August 31, 2021, before and after implementing the triage model training,with 550 patients in each group. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the data, and the Wilcoxon- Signed rank test was adopted to compare the data before and after the experiment. The results showed that the sample group was 25-48 years old (Mean=31.8, SD=7.6), with 2 - 17 years of experience working in the accident and emergency department (Mean=5.8 years, SD=4.5). Altogether 18.2 percent had completed training in emergency medicine; and 9.1 percent had completed general practice training. With statistical significance at the 0.05 level, registered nurses were able to screen patients more accurately after the trial than they had been able to before. Accurate triage increased from 47.6 percent to 68.2 percent. The proportion of patients under-triaged (categorized as less severe than their actual condition) decreased from 28.0 to 17.1 percent; while over-triage (categorized as more severe) also decreased from 24.4 to 14.7 percent compared to the actual severity of the condition. It could be concluded that the MOPD ED Triage training program could effectively improve the triage accuracy of nurses and emergency medical staff. In conclusions, the triage of emergency patients using criteria established by nurses affected triage efficiency. Therefore, continuous review of patient separation criteria with nurses should be encouraged and could be applied in other community hospitals.

The Effect of the Health Behavior Modification Program on HbA1c Level Control among Diabetic Patients in Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Clinic

2024-01-16T14:45:52+07:00

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the Muslim health behavior modification program on food consumption behavior and medication use on the level (HbA1c) in diabetes patients. It was conducted as a quasi-experimental research using a one-group pretest-posttest design. The samples were 65 diabetic patients attending the chronic non-communicable disease clinic. They were followed-up for a period of 20 weeks. The study tools included health behavior change programs; diabetes care manual; the tool for 3S, 3A, 1N (the Thai set of healthy behavioral practice covering praying, meditation, dhamma discussion, food, exercise, emotion, and biological clock); and a questionnaire on food consumption behavior and drug use with the consistency index of 1.00 and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.82. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics including mean, standard deviation, percentage, and paired samples t-test. The results revealed that the food compulsion behaviors posttest was significantly higher than that of the pretest (p<0.05), the drug use behaviors posttest was also significantly higher (p<0.05), and the mean score of HbA1C level posttest was significantly lower (p<0.05). The findings of this study indicated that the Health Behavior Modification Program was effective in changing patients behaviors resulting in the reduction of their blood sugar levels.Therefore, applying the program to daily life together with modifications of appropriate health behavior according to Muslim guidelines could motivate sustainable change toward healthy behaviors.

The participation model of road safety in the community of Rong Yang Health Promoting Hospital

2023-11-04T19:36:41+07:00

The purpose of this participatory action research aimed to study the participation model of road safety in the community of Rong Yang health promoting hospital, Phayao Province. The samples were 140 participants in promoting community road safety as a stakeholder. There were 4 stages in this research including planning, action, observation, and reflection. The research instruments were: (1) results-based management tools, (2) dead case conference, and (3) first aid and basic resuscitation knowledge questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, paired t-test and content analysis. The research findings revealed that the dead case conference found that the following are the causes and issues associated with accidents: driving a motorcycle, drinking alcohol, not wearing a helmet, speed driving, accident on road curve and intersection, poor road conditions, and lack of first aid. The community listed the priority road safety issues as follows: (1) risk points of road accident in the community, (2) drinking alcohol and speed driving, and (3) not wearing a helmet. The implement actions to eliminate the road safety issues were as follows: initiate road safety awareness campaign in the community, building community leaders’ capability on basic resuscitation and first aid, and develop community rules to prevent road accidence. After implement actions had taken place, the results were as follows: (1) the accident rate decreased, (2) innovations were created to create road safety in the community, (3) the helmet wearing rate was as high as 62 percent, and (4) after the training, the leaders had significantly more knowledge (p<0.001). Therefore, it is recommended that the committee of the Lo Subdistrict Road Safety Center disseminate data on the results of the operation, follow up and evaluate the results, and promote and support continuous road safety operation.

Evalution of nationeide hospital BP intervention

2025-07-15T13:50:51+07:00

Hypertension is a common disease, with an estimated 1.3 billion people aged 30-79 worldwide suffering from it, two-thirds of whom live in low- and middle-income countries. According to the 6th National Health Examination Survey of the Thai population aged 15 years and older, the prevalence of hypertension is as high as 25.2% of the population. It is a major cause of serious complications such as ischemic heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of premature death in Thailand. Additionally, the survey revealed that 48.8% of hypertension patients had not been previously diagnosed. Early detection of undiagnosed hypertension, particularly in patients with severe hypertension who are at high risk, and ensuring they receive timely treatment can prevent dangerous complications and reduce premature mortality. Nationwide Hospital BP project, which aims to identify patients with severe hypertension among outpatients in hospitals across the country and ensure they receive a diagnosis and continuous care, is a significant initiative. Its objectives are to accelerate the diagnosis of hypertension, reduce the number of undiagnosed patients, and lower premature deaths due to complications in individuals unaware of their condition. This research sought to evaluate the project’s implementation over a three-year period, from 2022 to 2024, by assessing changes in the average percentage of hypertension diagnoses among patients with severe hypertension, using data from the HDC database. The differences in averages across the three fiscal years were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA, while factors related to the project’s success and challenges were examined through survey data. The average percentage of hypertension diagnosed in the second year (25.79%) and the third year (25.44%) was significantly different, at a 95% confidence level, compared to the first year (20.44%). However, no significant difference was found between the second and third years. Based on these findings, it is recommended to develop additional supportive measures informed by qualitative data. These include: enhancing supportive factors, developing alert systems for hypertension detection, securing administrative support, broadly communicating hypertension management guidelines, addressing barrier by tackling delayed diagnoses by organizing meetings to review guidelines within medical organizations, systems improvement for verifying diagnoses and scheduling follow-up appointments.

The acute effects of gastrocnemius stretching on ankle dorsiflexion and balance in individuals with gastrocnemius muscle tightness

2023-11-18T19:47:58+07:00

Gastrocnemius tightness leads to a reduction in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, which can cause muscle imbalance and may impact postural stability. The objective of this research was to study the immediate effects of calf muscle stretching on ankle range of motion and balance. Thirty-four individuals with gastrocnemius muscle tightness were randomly assigned to both static stretching (SS) and dynamic stretching (DS) with at least 24 hours interval. The participants were assessed for passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM), maximum lunge range of motion (LROM) and star excursion test (SEBT) before and immediately after each stretching. The result showed that both SS and DS significantly increased DFROM, LROM, and SEBT score immediately after gastrocnemius stretching. The DS resulted in a significantly greater increase in DFROM compared to SS (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of both stretching techniques in improving balance ability (SEBT score). This study concluded that both types of stretching can enhance ankle dorsiflexion and balance ability immediately after stretching in individuals with gastrocnemius muscle tightness.

Experiences and perspective on health literacy in stroke: A focus group study in stroke patients and healthcare professionals

2025-10-15T10:22:41+07:00

Health literacy refers to an individual’s ability to access, comprehend, inquire, appraise, and apply health-related information for appropriate health management and the maintenance of good health. In stroke patients, health literacy is a crucial factor influencing treatment and rehabilitation outcomes. This research aimed to investigate the perspectives and experiences of patients with stroke and healthcare professionals regarding health literacy through focus group discussions. A total of 30 participants, comprising 15 stroke patients and 15 healthcare professionals, were involved. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Each focus group discussion included five participants, resulting in a total of six focus group sessions. The results of the focus group discussions were categorized into five areas corresponding to the main components of health literacy: access, understand, inquiry, appraise, and apply. The study found that the most significant barrier to health literacy among stroke patients, and the component most in need of improvement, was inquiry, particularly the ability to engage in healthrelated discussions. These findings can be utilized to enhance healthcare services for stroke patients and to develop programs aimed at promoting health literacy among both patients and healthcare professionals. Additionally, the results serve as a valuable reference for those interested in further exploring this topic.

Phytochemical Screening and Anti-inflammatory Activity (Nitric Oxide) in Development of Knee Pain Relief Cream by Nanoemulsion from Cannabis sativa L. Extract

2025-07-15T16:49:00+07:00

This study investigated the phytochemical components, anti-inflammatory activity, and development of a knee pain relief cream using nanoemulsion technology from cannabis leaf extract of the Charlotte’s Angel strain, extracted with ethanol. The phytochemical analysis revealed that the cannabis leaf extract contains active ingredients such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, and cardiac glycosides. The extract had a polyphenolic compound content of 72.70±0.03 μg GAE/mg extract. The tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) analysis using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) presented that the CBD content was 208.2 ±0.47 μg/ml, and THC was 5.91±0.05 μg/ ml. The toxicity exploration of the cannabis leaf extract on human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and mouse macrophage (RAW 264.7) cells using the MTT assay showed that at concentrations of 1.56-100 μg/ml, the percentage of cell viability was 106.17-13.12 for HaCaT and 96.15-10.58 for RAW 264.7. Extract concentrations above 50 μg/ml exhibited cytoxicity to the cells. For the anti-inflammatory activity, inhibition of nitric oxide release from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells at concentrations of 1.56 - 25 μg/ml showed inhibition rates of 84.61 – 97.85%. The development of the knee pain relief cream using nanoemulsion technology from cannabis leaf extract resulted in a semi-solid cream product containing suspended small particles. Temperature changes under accelerated conditions (6 cycles) did not affect the emulsion’s stability. Microbiological analysis displayed no growth of microorganisms and fungi. Size and zeta potential measurements using dynamic light scattering (DLS) indicated that the best formula had a hydrodynamic diameter of 234.52±4.65 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.44±0.02, and a zeta potential of -29.60±0.59 mV, representing good suspension stability. The results of this study provide a guideline for developing a knee pain relief cream using nanoemulsion technology from cannabis leaf extract. This product has the potential for further clinical development in the treatment of osteoarthritis in the elderly, which could significantly improve their physical quality of life in the future.

The effect of tooth brushing dolls for oral self-cleaning among students in grades 4-6 at the School for the blind

2024-05-03T10:37:30+07:00

This research is a quasi-experimental study aimed at investigating the effects of using toothbrushing teaching doll with sound on oral hygiene practices among students in grades 4 - 6 at a school for the blind in Chonburi province. The School for the Blind selected 12 students in grades 4 - 6 through purposive sampling to be included in the sample group. The intervention tool used was a dental health education program with Toothbrushing teaching doll with sound. Data were collected using a knowledge test and microbial plaque recording forms. Data analysis was conducted using paired samples t-test statistics. The study found that students in grades 4-6 at the school for the blind demonstrated increased knowledge of oral health care after participating in the dental health education program with Toothbrushing teaching doll with sound, with statistically significant results (p<0.05). Additionally, it was found that after using the toothbrushing teaching doll with sound, the average microbial plaque scores of the students decreased significantly (p<0.05). The study results indicate that using of toothbrushing teaching doll with sound to teach oral hygiene increases knowledge and understanding of oral health care, leading to improved oral cleanliness.

Effect of Herbal Steam Inhalation for Asthma Patient with Allergic Rhinitis in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma Clinic, Sangkhom Hospital, Sangkhom District, Nongkhai Province

2023-12-06T12:11:52+07:00

Allergic rhinitis is a common disease among asthmatics and interferes with the quality of life of patients, both health and social. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of herbal steam inhalation in asthmatic patients with allergic rhinitis. The research was a quasi-experimental study with a single group study, pretest before and after. The sample group were 30 patients of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma clinic, Sangkhom Hospital, Nong Khai Province who had symptoms and got standard treatment. Subjects received the intervention three times a week for four weeks and were then assessed for treatment effectiveness. The results of the study found the symptoms of runny nose, sneezing,and stuffy nose decreased in the first week while nasal itchy decreased after receiving the herbal steam inhalation in the second week. The frequency of allergic rhinitis symptoms decreased after the third week of administration. In addition, the use of modern medicine to relieve allergic rhinitis symptoms had also decreased significantly. The samples were satisfied with the use of herbal steam inhalation by the aspect that received the most satisfaction was advice on herbal steam inhalation from Thai traditional medicine practitioners. It could be concluded that herbal steam inhalation was effectiveness in rapidly reducing the severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms, reducing the frequency of symptoms and the use of modern medicine to suppress symptoms of the disease.

Factors Promoting Performance of Village Health Volunteers

2023-10-15T11:43:22+07:00

This qualitative research aimed to study factors promoting the performance of village health volunteers (VHVs) in Sukhothai Province. The participants were 17 VHVs, 10 public health officials (PHOs) under the Ministry of Public Health and PHOs under the Ministry of Interior, 12 local leaders and area leaders, and 11 family members of VHVs. They were selected using the maximum variation sampling technique. In-depth interviews with observations were employed for the data collection, after which the data were analyzed by content analysis, and the reliability of the data was verified by triangulation. The results revealed that factors promoting the performance of VHVs were four main factors: (1) individual-level factors consist of eleven minor factors as follows: age, time, readiness, smartphone, other positions in the community, inspiration, voluntary, intention, role perception, workload, and responsibility; (2) family-level factors consist of one minor factor as follows: family; (3) communitylevel factors consist of five minor factors as follows: area context, budget, materials and equipment, teamwork, PHOs; and (4) Social-level factors consist of five minor factors as follows: association network, participation, social support, motivation, and recognition. These research results indicate that related agencies should use factors promoting the performance of VHVs to promote and support VHVs to perform better.

Surgical Management of Colonic Trauma: a Thai Perspective and Outcomes

2025-07-02T15:14:21+07:00

The management of colonic injuries has evolved substantially from conservative care to surgical intervention, with progressive improvements in techniques and outcomes. Nevertheless, injury severity remains a significant challenge, particularly when concurrent trauma to other organs increases complication and mortality rates. The selection of surgical strategy, whether primary repair or diversion procedure, is contingent upon injury severity and patient-specific factors. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile and clinical outcomes of traumatic colonic injuries in Thailand and to compare postoperative outcomes between damage control surgery (DCS) and non-DCS management approaches. This retrospective study analyzed 77 patients diagnosed with colonic injuries (ICD10th: S365, S3650, S3651) admitted to Pranangklao Hospital and Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital between October 1, 2020, and September 30, 2023. The majority of patients were male (77.9%), of working age, and younger compared to populations with firearm-related injuries. Motor vehicle accidents were the predominant cause (74.0%), resulting in blunt trauma (80.5%) more frequently than penetrating trauma (19.5%). The most commonly injured site was the transverse colon (33.8%). The distribution of colonic injury grades was as follows: grade 1 (59.7%), grade 2 (5.2%), grade 3 (10.4%), grade 4 (10.4%), and grade 5 (14.3%). The overall mortality rate was 20.8% (16/77; 95% CI: 12.4–31.5). Colonic-related complications occurred in 7.8% of patients (6/77; 95% CI: 3.6–15.8). Primary repair was the predominant surgical approach (92.2%, 71/77; 95% CI: 83.4–96.6), while diversion procedures were performed in 7.8% (6/77; 95% CI: 3.4–16.6). Among patients with grade 5 injuries, 81.8% (9/11) underwent primary repair. This study supports primary repair as the first-line treatment for colonic injuries, even in cases of severe destructive trauma (grade 5).

Association Between ALK Immunohistochemistry and MYCN Gene Amplification in Pediatric Neuroblastoma

2025-09-16T13:22:03+07:00

MYCN amplification is a critical prognostic marker in neuroblastoma requiring molecular diagnostics often unavailable in resource-limited settings. This retrospective study evaluated ALK immunohistochemistry as a potential surrogate marker for MYCN amplification in 49 primary neuroblastomas from patients aged £18 years. ALK immunohistochemistry (clone D5F3) was scored as high (³50% tumor cells) or low (<50%) by two independent pathologists blinded to MYCN status determined by FISH using standard criteria (ratio ³4.0 or >10 copies/nucleus). MYCN amplification was present in 35% (17/49) of cases, while ALK-high expression occurred in 73% (36/49). ALK-high expression significantly associated with MYCN amplification (p=0.02; OR=9.6, 95%CI = 1.13–81.9), with 94% (16/17) of MYCN-amplified tumors showing ALK-high expression versus 63% (20/32) of non-amplified tumors. Diagnostic performance showed high sensitivity (94%) and negative predictive value (92%), but limited specificity (38%) and positive predictive value (44%). While ALK immunohistochemistry cannot replace molecular MYCN testing, its high sensitivity and NPV support its use as a preliminary screening tool in diagnostic algorithms, particularly in resource- limited settings, helping prioritize cases for molecular testing while identifying candidates for ALK-targeted therapy.

Editorial

2025-10-28T14:10:33+07:00

cover

2025-10-28T14:00:36+07:00

Editorial Board

2025-10-28T13:51:37+07:00