Factors Influencing Health Status Among Buddhist Monks in Uttaradit Province
Keywords:
Buddhist monks, Health behaviors, Health literacy, Health status, Social supportAbstract
Background and Purpose Buddhist monks have an increasing trend of non-communicable diseases with specific factors different from the general population. This study aimed to investigate the health status and analyze factors affecting the health status of Buddhist monks in Uttaradit Province.
Methods This cross-sectional descriptive research recruited 362 Buddhist monks in Uttaradit Province using multi-stage random sampling. Data were collected using validated questionnaires comprising general information, health status, health behaviors, health literacy, healthcare accessibility, and social support. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression analysis.
Results The monks had combined overweight and obesity rates of 54.4%, abdominal obesity of 45.6%, and hypertension of 37.3%. Their health behaviors, health literacy, healthcare accessibility, and social support were at moderate levels. Factors affecting the monks' health status included health behaviors (β = 0.386, p < 0.001), health literacy (β = 0.287, p < 0.001), healthcare accessibility (β = 0.175, p < 0.001), age (β = -0.145, p < 0.001), and social support (β = 0.118, p < 0.01), collectively explaining 68.4% of the variance in health status.
Conclusions Health promotion programs for Buddhist monks in Uttaradit Province should focus on developing appropriate health behaviors, especially exercise and dietary practices, coupled with enhancing health literacy, improving healthcare accessibility, and establishing monk healthcare networks with community participation.
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