Greater Mekong Subregion Medical Journal

Exploring Medical Cannabis Knowledge and Attitudes among Health Care Providers in Northern Thailand After Legalization

2025-03-20T22:51:25+07:00

Background: In June 2022, the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand announced the legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational purposes under controlled conditions. However, despite this regulatory shift, there exists a paucity of evidence-based research regarding the therapeutic efficacy of cannabis. Moreover, within the Thai context, there persists a notable gap in understanding the comprehensive spectrum of health benefits and concerns associated with cannabis usage.

Objective: To investigate the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare providers regarding medical cannabis.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare providers at Mae Fah Luang University Medical Center Hospital (MFU-MCH) and the Thai-Chinese Medicine Institute (TCMI) in November 2022. The survey instrument comprised two components. Firstly, it evaluated the participants’ foundational knowledge concerning medical cannabis. Secondly, it measured their attitudes toward medical cannabis utilizing a Likert Four-Point scaling system. Data were collected through online surveys administered via Google Form.

Results: 74 healthcare providers were recruited. The prevalence of low knowledge scores was found to be 13.51%. Attitudes toward medical cannabis use were evenly split, with 50% expressing agreement and 50% expressing disagreement.

Conclusion: Basic knowledge about cannabis appears to be limited among healthcare providers, while attitudes towards its medical use are evenly split. Given that healthcare providers play a crucial role in advising patients and the public on medical cannabis, there is a pressing need to enhance their knowledge in this area.

Sensors Based on the Internet of Things for Semi-Outdoor Air Cleaners: An Alternative Method for Controlling Haze and COVID-19

2024-10-03T19:07:52+07:00

Background: Particulate matter has been connected to COVID-19 occurrences, whereas Internet of Things (IoT) technology can be utilized to address the demand for ambient air quality monitoring.

Objective: The purpose of this research is to create a low-cost IoT platform that can be integrated with multi-air sensors and a ventilating fan controller for public semi-outdoor air conditions, and to protect us from the haze and the COVID-19 crisis.

Materials and Method: The IoT platform was designed and built, with two-way data communication, between a dual ventilating fan, air quality sensors, and a chatbot platform.

Results: The results of a preliminary test were collected and interpreted, including the operation of the ventilation system, aerosol reports, and IoT interfacing. When PM2.5 levels reached 50 μg/m3, a set of ventilating fans was activated and ran indefinitely until the aerosol level dropped below 50 μg/m3. The chatbot system was divided into two LINE groups, the first of which was used to send a machine code. This chatbot could respond within 1-5 seconds, depending on Wi-Fi stability, to monitor the status of the ventilation system as well as any types of aerosol levels (CO2, formaldehyde, TVOC, PM2.5, PM10, temperature, and humidity). Another report system was used to only report machine status and aerosol levels every 1 hour or as users desired, which was designed for people who want to know the air quality levels in their location.

Conclusion: Multi-sensors and the LINE chatbot can both detect aerosols as well as control ventilation fans. With the exception of a SIM card included with the Wi-Fi 3G system, which is suitable for developing countries during the haze and COVID-19 crisis, all platforms are free for potential users.

Preparation of Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds from Cockle Shell for Bone repair

2024-11-15T11:31:36+07:00

Background: There is a growing demand for effective bone repair materials to replace and reduce the import of materials from abroad, utilizing waste materials from natural resources in Thailand. The goal is to create medical devices and develop inventions into innovations that can be commercialized.

Objectives: This study aimed to prepare hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds using a solid-state reaction with raw materials of CaCO₃ and NH₄H₂PO₄.

Materials and Method: Scaffolds were synthesized under two conditions with sintering temperatures ranging from 1100 to 1300°C for 2 hours. The phase contents, physical, and mechanical properties were investigated. Additionally, to evaluate the maximum HA phase content, each condition was assessed in the subcutaneous soft tissue of laboratory rats over 7, 30, and 90 days. Characterization techniques included XRD, SEM, porosity analysis, bending strength testing, hardness measurement, and histological studies using optical microscopy.

Results: The findings indicated that the scaffolds sintered at 1300°C for 2 hours (Condition 2) had the highest HA content. After 90 days, the scaffold’s reaction with soft tissues showed mild inflammation and good tissue compatibility due to the high HA content.

Conclusion: Our results conclude that HA scaffolds prepared from cockle shells have potential for use as bone grafts, as the samples were found to be nontoxic and biocompatible with soft tissues.

Effects of Oral Supplement L-Theanine on Relaxation Indexed by Alpha Brainwave

2025-03-08T14:52:48+07:00

Background: This study used electroencephalography (EEG) to measure brain wave activity to investigate the physiological impact of L-theanine, an amino acid found naturally in green tea, on a state of relaxation.

Objective: The purpose was to assess whether L-Theanine supplementation enhances relaxation by modulating brain waves in healthy middle-aged adults. This study focused on how L-Theanine affected alpha wave activities in different brain regions.

Materials and Method: Thirty healthy middle-aged participants were randomly assigned to receive either 200 mg of oral L-Theanine or a placebo. EEG recordings were obtained at baseline and 90 minutes after intake.

Results: Even though the results weren’t statistically significant, there was a clear pattern of higher alpha wave power in the L-Theanine group, especially in the left frontal and parietal cortex 90 minutes after consumption, which suggests that they were more relaxed.

Conclusion: Despite the lack of statistical significance, the findings demonstrated that L-Theanine might modulate alpha wave activity. However, this finding may require further investigation with longer usage of L-theanine supplementation and extended observation periods.

Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Bloodstream Infections among Febrile Neutropenic Patients at a Thai University Hospital

2025-03-04T18:12:48+07:00

Background: Febrile neutropenia is a frequent and serious complication in patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignancies, often resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Understanding local epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance patterns is critical to optimizing empirical therapy for bloodstream infections in this population.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the current microbiological profile and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bloodstream infections (BSIs) in neutropenic patients at Phramongkutklao Hospital. Additionally, the study sought to identify factors associated with drug-resistant infections and determine their impact on patient mortality.

Materials and Method: This retrospective analytical study reviewed the medical records of febrile neutropenic patients with bloodstream infections at Phramongkutklao Hospital between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2021. The study aimed to describe the epidemiological trends and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in febrile neutropenic patients with bacteremia.

Results: A total of 151 febrile neutropenic patients with bloodstream infections were included, with a mean age of 43.42 years. Males constituted 57.6% of the cohort. The most common underlying conditions were acute myeloid leukemia (60.9%), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (25.2%), and multiple myeloma (10.6%). Gram-negative bacteria were the most frequently isolated pathogens (73.5%), primarily Escherichia coli (33.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (19.9%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.6%). Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 19.9% of cases, and fungi 6.6%. Significant associations were observed between urinary catheter use and infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) (p < 0.05), while parenteral nutrition
use was linked to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections (p = 0.02). The overall 14-day mortality rate was 16.6%, with CRE and VRE infections contributing significantly to mortality (p < 0.01). A Pitt bacteremia score greater than 3 was also identified as a significant predictor of mortality.

Conclusion: Gram-negative bacteria remain the predominant pathogens in febrile neutropenic patients with bloodstream infections. Their prevalence and evolving antimicrobial resistance patterns are critical considerations in guiding empirical therapy at Phramongkutklao Hospital.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Workplace Stress among Worker Population in Thimphu, Bhutan: A Cross-sectional Study

2025-03-13T16:35:52+07:00

Background: Workplace stress is a major public health problem worldwide. The impact of workplace stressors contributed to risk behaviors, poor family relationship, severe diseases. Several factors are associated with workplace stress i.e. health condition and job satisfaction.

Objective: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of workplace stress and to determine factors associated with workplace stress among the working population in Thimphu, Bhutan.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect the information using a validate questionnaire and the Workplace Stress Scale (WSS) to assess stress levels from the worker who lived in Thimphu district, Bhutan. Multiple logistic regression was analyzed to assess the association between variables at a significance level of = 0.05.

Results: A total of 415 workers were recruited into the study. The most participant were 56.4% males with a majority (43.9%) ranging between 19 to 30 years. There were 54.0% completed their high school education, 32.3% hold a bachelor’s degree, 10.6%, have received primary level education, and 3.1%, have no formal education. 92.8% of the participants were Buddhist followed by Hindu (5.3%), and Christianity (1.9%) respectively. The overall
prevalence of workplace stress was 48.2% of which 39.3% experienced moderate stress, 8.4% experienced severe stress and 0.5% experienced potentially dangerous level of stress. Eight factors were found to be associated with workplace stress, including cannabis use, COVID-19 infection, kidney disease, diabetes, chronic diseases in the family, severe mental health problems among family members, job position, and job satisfaction. The specialists,
professional, and managers experienced higher levels of stress compared to operational level.

Conclusion: Workplace stress associated with cannabis use, COVID-19 infection, kidney disease, diabetes, chronic family illnesses, severe mental health problems among family members, job position, and job satisfaction. Individuals with moderate to high stress levels should be referred for further evaluation and treatment. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing targeted interventions in the workplace, with a focus on
training workers in stress management skills to mitigate these stressors effectively.