Factors Effect with Health Behavior of Monk in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

Buddhist monks are a group that are found to have chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) Caused by health behaviors and resulting in disabilities and premature deaths. This research aimed to study factors affecting health status of Buddhist monks in Nakhon Ratchasima province, using a retrospective analytic study design, with Buddhist monks residing in Nakhon Ratchasima province in 2021. Samples of 370 Buddhist monks were randomly selected from the population of 9,964 monks using the Krejcie & Morgan's formula. The data were collected from the samples using a questionnaire.

The results showed that the majority of the samples ages between 41 and 60 years old, had number of years being Buddhist monks between 1-10 years, graduated from high schools, and had no existing chronic disease, used to smoke but already quit, and had normal body mass index (BMI). The samples’ awareness of health status was at a high level (70.30%). Their perceived severity of diseases associated with health behaviors was at a high level (75.7%). Health practices was at a high level (83.3%). Their perceived barriers to health behaviors were at a moderate level (56.2%) along with the moderate level of health behaviors (71.6%). Factors affecting health status of Buddhist monks in Nakhon Ratchasima province included: perception of health status (r=0.414, p=0.000), perception of severity of diseases associated with risky behaviors (r=0.236, p=0.000), perception of benefits in practicing health behaviors (r=0.215, p=0.000) and perceived barriers to practicing health behaviors (r=0.541, p=0.000).

The results suggested that knowledge and health behavior practices should be promoted to monks and knowledge should be improved among lay persons regarding appropriate food offered for the Buddhist monks.