Health Science Journal of Thailand

Effectiveness of Physical Therapy Management on Balance Performance of Osteoarthritis Patients Linked from Community to Hospital

Piyawan Plandee — 2024-06-10

Osteoarthritis is a major public health problem in Thailand. The symptoms of the disease result in great suffering and impaired physical performance, especially the balance performance. This one-group time series design study aimed to determine the effectiveness of physical therapy management on balance performance in patients with osteoarthritis linked from community to hospital, using the principles of four doctors. The subjects consisted of patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis; from the assessment of the Oxford Knee Score, 24 cases. Before entering the research process, the subjects were trained and practiced according to the physical therapy management program in order to understand and enhance their research participation skills. The balance performance was assessed before the 0^th week, during the 4^th week, and after the 8^th week, respectively; the differences of data before and after the research were analyzed and compared using One-way ANOVA statistics, repeated measures. The results showed that the patients with osteoarthritis who received a physical therapy management program continuing for 4 and 8 weeks, it has been shown to improve balance performance, which is statistically significant (p-value<0.001). It is concluded that physical therapy management helps restore balance performance in osteoarthritis patients.

Selected Factors Influencing Health-Related Quality of Life among Ischemic Stroke Patients in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province

Parichat Phengrueng — 2024-06-10

This predictive correlation descriptive research aimed to investigate selected factors influencing the health-related quality of life of ischemic stroke patients in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, applying the health-related quality of life conceptual framework of Ferrans et al. in 2005. The research samples were 109 ischemic stroke patients discharged from the hospitals within 6 months who were selected by the convenience sampling method based on the specified criteria. The research instruments were questionnaires on general information, health-related quality of life of ischemic stroke patients, nutritional status, activities of daily living (ADL), stress, and social support with the reliability values of 0.94, 0.67, 0.88, 0.74, and 0.73 respectively. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression. The research findings revealed that the factors influencing the health-related quality of life of ischemic stroke patients were caregiver time spent providing care per day (β = 0.194), Nutritional status (β = 0.735), and ADL (β = 0.213). These could explain the variance in health quality of life by 84.2% at a statistical significance of 0.05. The results of this research should be used to develop a nursing model that promotes the quality of life of stroke patients in the future research.

Disparities in Access to Fertility Services among Lampang Hospital Personnels

Talerngsak Netsirininkul — 2024-06-10

Assisted reproductive services are still difficult to access in many parts of the world. This study aimed to assess the accessibility ratio and differences of Lampang Hospital personnel’s characteristics for accessing fertility services. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 399 fertility-seeking hospital personnel aged 20-50 years old. Data was collected using an electronic questionnaire. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare the differences between groups. The results showed that 21.3% of the participants had access to fertility care. Healthcare personnel, civil servants, level of education, and monthly income had a difference in accessing fertility services and assisted reproductive technologies. These findings suggest that career, job position, education, and income can have a significant impact on the accessibility of fertility services and assisted reproductive technologies.

Elderly Care Model by Community Participation in a Multicultural Society in Yupo Sub-district Municipality, Muang District, Yala Province

Sunee Kraonual — 2024-06-10

This quantitative and qualitative research aims to study the care for and needs of the elderly and the elderly care model through community participation in a multicultural society. The data from the quantitative method was proportionally collected from 286 elderly from each random village. The research instrument was validated by 3 experts. The index of item-objective congruence ranged from 0.67 to 1.00. The qualitative data was obtained from in-depth interviews with key informants, consisting of local leaders and the director of Health Promoting Hospital, including group conversations with a group of the elderly club and the elderly members of the elderly school, and a group of public health volunteers and volunteers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and content analysis. Two main findings are found in this study. The first is that the elderly receive a high level of care in terms of safe and appropriate residence, mental care from their descendants, and respect from their families. In terms of needs, they need annual health checkups, care from their descendant, monthly financial support, and a happy and hopeful life in the later stages of life. The second finding is that the elderly care model through community participation in a multicultural society mainly involves four groups: 1) the volunteer groups who take care of the elderly; 2) the elderly club and the elderly school; 3) local authorities; and 4) local communities that take care of each other.

Immediate Effects of Kinesiology Tape and Scapular Muscle Control Exercise on Scapular Muscles Strength, Pectoralis Minor Muscle Length in Overhead Athlete with Scapular Dyskinesis

Haruthai Petvsiet — 2024-06-10

This study is an experimental study that aimed to investigate the immediate effects of kinesiology tape and scapular muscle control exercises on the muscle strength of the upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), and medial and lateral rotator cuff muscles (MR, LR), as well as the length of the pectoralis minor muscle in overhead athletes with scapular dyskinesis. Forty-four male overhead athletes with scapular dyskinesis were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A, the kinesiology group (n = 22), and Group B, the scapular muscle control exercise group (n = 22). Muscle strength and pectoralis muscle length were assessed both before and immediately after the intervention. The scapular muscle control exercise group showed an immediate increase in muscle strength of the UT, MT, LT, SA, and LR muscles (p-value ≤0.05). However, there was no immediate effect on muscle strength in the kinesiology tape group. There were no significant differences in pectoralis muscle length observed after the intervention in both groups. These results suggest that scapular muscle control exercises have an immediate positive impact on increasing the strength of scapular muscles and lateral rotator cuff muscles.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Retinopathy of Prematurity among Very Low Birth Weight Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Chitlada Phenglai — 2024-06-10

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a complication commonly found in very low birth weight infants. The purpose of this research was to study the incidence and risk factors related to ROP among 39 premature infants weighing less than 1,500 grams in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Ramathibodi Chakri Naruebodindra Hospital. Analytical statistics used for data analysis were frequency, percentage, mean, median and standard deviation. The statistical tests used in this study were fisher's exact test and chi-square test for finding the relationship which association with ROP. The study was conducted from 1 October 2019 - 31 December 2021. The study found that there were 12 ROP cases (30.77%). The factors significantly causing the ROP were birth weight ≤1,000 grams, Odds Ratio (OR) for 8.50 times (95% CI, 1.54-46.87; p-value = 0.014) when compared with infants

weighing >1,000 grams. For a gestational age, it was found that those with a gestational age of 23-25 weeks had a significantly higher risk of complications 33 times (95% CI, 2.45-443.61; p-value = 0.004). Therefore, the occurrence of ROP in prematurity, especially in very low birth weight infants, can be prevented by providing prenatal care as soon as a woman finds out she is pregnant, preventing preterm birth, obtaining medical assistance immediately after a premature birth, and providing the appropriate neonatal care. The study findings will also lead to the quality improvement of nursing care.

Factors Affecting Public Participation in Solid Waste Management in Community Tourism of Lower South Andaman Islands: A Case Study of Koh Klang and Koh Sukron

Kannika Ruangdej Chaosuansreecharoen — 2024-06-10

The cross-sectional analysis research aimed to study factors affecting public participation in solid waste management in the community tourism of Lower South Andaman Islands. The samples were representations of 334 persons from Koh Sukorn and 310 persons from Koh Klang. The research instrument was a questionnaire. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (stepwise multiple regression analysis). The research results revealed that three factors affected public participation in solid waste management, including training in solid waste management, enabling factors (reduce-reuse-recycle, collection, transportation, treatment, analysis, and disposal waste) and received information of solid waste management. Three factors predicted 20.40% of the variation in public participation in solid waste management. The training of solid waste management and enabling factors of solid waste management had a positive correlation with public participation in solid waste management, and receiving information about solid waste management had a negative correlation with public participation in solid waste management. Based on the results, the Subdistrict Administrative Organization enhanced public participation in solid waste management by organizing solid waste management training and providing enabling factors for solid waste disposal methods with sanitation.

Factors Associated with Stress and Anxiety among Teachers in Udon Thani Province after Becoming Endemic Disease of Covid-19

Phitchayathida Phiewluang — 2024-06-10

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to study the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and factors related to the situation of stress and anxiety among teachers in Udon Thani province after becoming an endemic disease of COVID-19. The study encompassed a sample of 1,180 teachers from Udon Thani province, selected through a stratified sampling approach. The data was collected by an online questionnaire via Google Forms from January to February 2023. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were employed to analyze the data. The results showed that teachers were stressed (20.25%) and anxious (26.53%). The factors related to stress and anxiety included females, teachers who had aged more than 50 years, status, monthly income, elderly members of a family, teachers who had been in quarantine due to COVID-19, working in opportunity extension schools, and had responsibilities besides teaching, underlying diseases, those with children, family members

who have been infected with COVID-19, and teachers who lectured in schools in municipal or city areas. These findings highlight the importance of organizations involved in education appropriately allocating staffing resources, training teaching technology skills for a senior teacher, and designing a specific approach for teachers with an underlying disease and lower income. Such measures are crucial for mitigating and alleviating stress and anxiety among teachers so that they can work efficiently.

Clinical Outcomes Following Radial Shockwave Therapy in Lateral Epicondylitis Patients: Preliminary Study

Sutida Sakunkaruna — 2024-06-10

Lateral epicondylitis is very common among people who repeatedly use the wrist or arm. The patients usually experience pain at the outside of their elbows while extending their wrists. The purpose of this study is to study the preliminary results of radial shockwave therapy in patients with elbow ligament inflammation, pain and the ability to perform arm activities. This preliminary included 9 people with elbow pain who were measured before the first treatment, week 4 and week 7. Pain tolerance on the outside of the elbow (the most painful position) while providing pressure of about 1 centimeter²/second with Pressure Algometer (2) measures the strength of the hand compression in the elbow bend position at 90 degrees (3). Nerve Arm Dynamics radial³ (upper limb neurodynamic test [ULNT 2]). Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found before and after treatment. The data obtained from this study indicate that the radial shockwave conservation treatment in patients with lateral epicondylitis is likely to reduce pain and promote activity with better use of hands and arms.

Model of Consumer Protection in a Community

Kullatat Hongchayangkool — 2024-06-10

The action research developing a model of consumer protection in the community collected data from 108 participants, including consumers, entrepreneurs, executives, and workers of local authorities, and non-government organizations, using group discussions, in-depth interviews, and the operational feasibility questionnaire. The consumer protection model consisted of: 1) consumer protection management within the community by the volunteer groups; 2) consumer protection system management composing of policy, plans, budget, monitoring and evaluation, and representatives of volunteers in the sub-committee; 3) management of collaboration among partners; 4) creation of knowledge for sustainability; and 5) creation of the understanding process for the implementation. 64.52% of the participants were satisfied with the model’s design at a high level. The samples thought that the model serves the consumers’ needs (87.10%), influences on the entrepreneurs (61.29%), affects the structure and operation of the municipality (19.35%), and is adaptable (87.10%). Moreover, the sample also thought the municipality had a sufficient number of staff (54.84%), the staff are knowledgeable (80.65%) but not specialized, and the volunteers help transfer the knowledge thoroughly with empowerment. However, there should be knowledge creation about the protection for the subcommittee, staff, entrepreneurs, and consumers.

Factors Influencing Nursing Management in the COVID-19 Situation of Nursing Administrators in University Hospitals, Northeastern of Thailand

Jitpinan Srijakkot — 2024-06-10

This predictive research aimed to determine the level of nursing administration and factors influencing nursing administration in the situation of the COVID-19 epidemic among 122 nursing administrators who were head nurses or in higher positions at university hospitals in the northeast of Thailand. The research tools consisted of a questionnaire on environmental factors in work and a questionnaire on nursing management in the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The content validity values of the questionnaire were 0.96 and 0.98. The reliability values were verified by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, which were 0.93 and 0.92. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results showed the average score of nursing administrators in the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic of nursing administrators at university hospitals in the northeast of Thailand was at a high level. The COVID-19 pandemic situation was divided into 3 phases, including nursing management before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a high level in all 3 phases. In addition, the environmental factors in the work, consisting of the role perception of nursing administrator and the service support system, could jointly predict the variance of nursing administration in the situation of COVID-19 with a statistical significance of 82.50% (R² = 0.825, p-value <0.05).

Respiratory Effects and Pulmonary Functions Related to Wood Dust Exposure among Workers in a Rubber Wood Factory

Chompunuch Supapvanich — 2024-06-10

This study aimed to determine the effects of wood dust exposure on respiratory symptoms and pulmonary functions in wood dust factory workers and the association between wood dust exposure and pulmonary functions. This cross-sectional study comprised of one hundred workers who answered a self-reported questionnaire. Two factory areas, the production department and the back office, were explored using stationary air sampling. The wood dust concentration was collected using NIOSH Method 0600. Pulmonary function parameters were evaluated through spirometry. A descriptive statistics analysis was done for personal information. Binary logistic regression determined the association between wood dust exposure and respiratory symptoms. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms related to wood dust exposure at work was 49.00 percent. Three major symptoms in the exposed group includes chest pain, shortness of breath, and asthma. The average amount of PM₁₀ in the saw mill area was significantly higher than in the back office (7.23 vs. 1.60 mg/m³). There was a significant difference in forced expiratory capacity between the reference and exposure groups (mean difference = -4.03, p-value = 0.011). The adjusted odd ratio showed that the high wood dust-exposed group had a lower runny nose and dry cough than the reference group. All workers need to consider using personal protective equipment with appropriate specifications in the sawmill area and also the other areas where wood dust levels are high. To control the concentration of respirable particles, resource and pathway control must be applied to reduce the concentration of respirable particles in the workplace.