Thai Journal of Public Health

Prevalence of Noncommunicable Diseases and Social Determinants of Health in Thailand: Insights from Public Datasets

Peatiphat Bhoothookngoen — 2024-08-29

This review delved into publicly available datasets to scrutinise Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Social Determinants of Health (SDHs) in Thailand from 2013 to 2021. The causality between NCDs and SDHs lies in how socioeconomic factors, environmental conditions, and access to healthcare significantly influence the distribution of NCDs risk factors and health outcomes, exacerbating health disparities and shaping individual behaviors that contribute to NCD development. NCDs prevalence studied include cancer (CA), coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and stroke. SDHs data encompassed household income, expenses, loans, education, smokers, alcohol consumers, and particulate matter 2.5 levels. Descriptive analysis was employed to scrutinize publicly available datasets. Findings revealed significant increase in household incomes, loans, and PM2.5 concentrations, posing environmental risks. NCDs prevalence rates, including DM, HTN, Stroke, CAD, CA, and COPD, exhibited upward trends. Provincial disparities in NCD prevalence underscored the necessity for targeted interventions. Future research may focus on longitudinal trends in SDHs. To mitigate escalating NCDs prevalence, comprehensive health promotion programs are imperative, emphasizing risk factor awareness, lifestyle changes, and enhanced access to preventive healthcare services. Investigating provincial disparities and socioeconomic factors impacting health outcomes is vital for policy formulation.

Comparing Thailand and UK's Reimbursement Policies: Focus on High-Value Drug List for Cancer

Peatiphat Bhoothookngoen — 2024-08-29

This review’s objective to analyze Thailand's drug reimbursement and patient access in comparison to the United Kingdom's (UK) universal health coverage system, with a focus on evidence-based reimbursement for fiscal stability. Materials and Methods, a comparative analysis was conducted, utilizing a random search of the latest regulations and several sources, employing the most relevant keywords of reimbursement policy, high-value drug, national list of medicine, Thailand, and United Kingdom. Thematic alignment and differentiation between Thailand and the UK were explored. Finding, Thailand's healthcare system relied on three insurance schemes, with rising per capita health spending and evolving trends compared to the UK. The National Essential Drug List (ED) and Hospital Drug List (HDL) ensured equitable medication access, alongside the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and drug reimbursement policy. The inclusion of targeted and biological drugs in the High-Value Drug List for the Oncology and Hematology Program was highlighted. Government reference pricing mechanisms were explored, revealing differences impacting patient access. Suggestion, Thailand's comprehensive drug reimbursement framework, including the OCPA program, exemplified efforts to manage costs effectively and expand access to high-value drugs. In contrast, the UK maintained universal coverage under the NHS, with mechanisms like the PPRS and IFR ensuring reasonable pricing and equitable access. However, variations existed in patient access to high-value drugs, influenced by medical conditions and healthcare scheme affiliation. Streamlining pre-authorization processes and enhancing collaboration with pharmaceutical companies were recommended to improve access and affordability.

Established and Emerging Risk Factors of Stroke in Asian Countries: A Systematic Review

Phornanan Jarintanan — 2024-08-29

This paper aims to review the stroke situation regarding its risk factors in 16 Asian countries. From the stroke incidence in 2016 and 2019, it was found that the number of stroke cases per 100,000 people increased in 10 and decreased in 6 Asian countries. Low-middle income countries (LMICs) tend to have lower service and quality of healthcare compared to high-income countries (HICs), this significant difference in healthcare might be what causes the difference in stroke incidence. A systematic review was conducted for identifying and rating the frequency of stroke risk factors. Reviewing 15 selected papers, there are eight risk factors for stroke ranging from hypertension¹⁵, diabetes¹², hypercholesterolemia/dyslipidemia¹², smoking¹¹, physical inactivity⁷, obesity⁷, air quality² to family history¹. Age remains a significant risk factor for stroke, underscoring the importance of targeted preventive measures and healthcare interventions for older populations. China, as an example, has spread awareness and shown commitment to health issues and factors, adding institutions, and establishing a healthcare service for locations with more than 300,000. Studies have shown that women in LMICs are more likely to have a stroke at a young age compared to those in HICs, and could be influenced by cultural and social factors on women’s health. Therefore, individuals could decrease stroke risk through healthy lifestyle choices, preventing hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia/dyslipidemia. Lifestyle modifications including not smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly should lower the risk of stroke occurrence in individuals. Simultaneously, national policies could lower stroke incidences by strengthening the stroke care ecosystem.

The Relationship between Health Literacy and Food Supplement Product Consumption Behavior of the Elderly

Rattanaporn Thepthawach — 2024-08-29

This research is a survey research study by conducting a cross-section research, which aims to examine the level of health literacy of the elderly, to study the relationship between demographic characteristics and health literacy, and to discover the relationship between health literacy and food supplement product consumption behavior of the elderly. Systematic random sampling was employed. Questionnaire were used to collect the data from 353 elderly at Lak Hok, Mueang, Pathum Thani, Thailand. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, minimum, maximum and standard deviation. Moreover, to analyze the relationships between study variables using the Chi-square and Pearson’s correlation coefficient statistic, the p-value of .05 was considered statistically significant. The results showed that the participants had a mean age of 68.17 years old. Most of them were female (66.3%), the participants had inadequate health literacy (Mean = 152.01, SD. = 53.43). Elderly people had high scores on dietary supplement consumption behavior (Mean = 53.15, SD. = 14.19). Chi-square and Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis showed that age, education level, occupation, household income, and source of income are significant related to health literacy at p <0.05. The relationships between health literacy and sex, marital status was not found. Health literacy significantly related to food supplement consumption with statistical significance of .05 (r=0.380, p <0.001). The results of this study suggest that health literacy and food supplement product consumption behavior need to be further supported in elderly from government agencies. And there should be a field inspection of dietary supplements in pharmacies and stores.

The Accessibility to Reproductive Healthcare Services for Teenagers in Bangkok’s Urban Community

Thitiphorn Suwan-ampa — 2024-08-29

The purpose of this study was to examine the accessibility of reporductive health services for teenagers and identify the factors influencing teenagers’ satisfaction with these services in urban communities within Bangkok. The study samples were 346 teenagers recruited by using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using interviewed questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as Multiple Logistic Regression analysis were applied for data analysis.

The results showed that the sample had a mean age. It was found that the access of teenagers to reproductive health services are moderate level. Factors predicting satisfaction with accessing to reproductive health services statistically significant (p < 0.05); Appropriateness, Acceptance and Accessibility of health care services. Appropriateness of health services had the highest predictive weight (beta =.444), followed by acceptance of health services (beta = .218) and accessibility of health services (beta = .152). So that the level of satisfaction of teenagers accessing to reproductive health services is 48.40 percent, significantly (p < 0.05). The multiple correlation coefficient (R) is 6.96, and a standard error mean of prediction (S.E.) is 0.20.

In conclusion, teenagers in Bangkok’s urban communities require more approachable health providing services such as more appropriate, more accessible services which would help teenagers accesing to heath services better.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Alzheimer’s Disease with Blood Biomarkers

Nutthida Kunsanprasit — 2024-08-29

Background: One of the world's leading causes of death is Alzheimer's disease (AD). Diagnostic of the disease and determining the risk before it reaches a severe stage are essential to reduce the rate of a patient’s development into the dementia phase, as well as locating practical, economical, and effective diagnostic tools, including blood tests, are easier and still reasonably priced, compared to neuroimaging or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations.

Method: The studies were systematically searched for and determined by pooled sensitivity and specificity which studies were about diagnosing AD using the single molecular array (SIMOA) method by detecting phosphorylated tau (p-tau) in the blood. In addition, Egger's test results for heterogeneity and publication bias were evaluated.

Result: After systematically review the studies from 2016 to 2023, seven studies have been included for the meta-analysis. The results show low level of heterogeneity (I² = 28.99%) and no publication bias Egger's test in sensitivity and specificity (p-value = 0.244 and 0.084, respectively) in patients.

Conclusion: The ability to identify p-tau in blood with SIMOA has been useful in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Currently, this procedure is utilized in conjunction with other diagnostic approaches for diagnosis.

Relationship between Perceived Organizational Support, Empowerment and Organizational Commitment of Health Workers at Sub-District Health Promoting Hospitals in Suphanburi Province, Thailand

Thanika Matvijit — 2024-08-29

This cross-sectional study aims to explore the relationship between personal characteristics, perceived organizational support, empowerment, and organizational commitment. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires from health workers at Sub-district Health Promoting Hospitals (SHPHs) in Suphanburi Province from June to July, 2023. A total of 374 out of 542 participants 69% were completed the questionnaires for data analysis. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis statistics were used for data analysis.

The findings revealed that most health workers perceived organizational commitment, empowerment at a moderate level (54%, 52.4%), and perceived organizational support at a high level (39.04%). Additionally, perceived organizational support, and empowerment showed statistically significant relationships with organizational commitment (r = 0.622, 0.614). Perceived organizational support and empowerment were crucial predictors accounted for 44.1% of the variance in the organizational commitment.

To increase the health workers’ organizational commitment, the SHPHs supervisors should focus on improving perceived organizational support and empowerment for SHPHs to retain them within the organization.

Predictors of Mental Health among Secondary School Students in Thailand: The Roles of Grit, Self-Esteem, and Smartphone Addiction

Paul Ratanasiripong — 2024-08-29

This study investigated factors that impacted the mental health of secondary school students in Thailand. This cross-sectional study included 1,560 participants from six class levels in six public schools in Thailand. The survey instruments included the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Short Grit Scale, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, and the Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. For secondary school adolescents, results indicated that Grit, Self-esteem, and smartphone addiction were significant predictors of stress (R² =.46); self-esteem and smartphone addiction significantly predicted depression (R² = .39); girls have significantly higher levels of depression, stress, smartphone addiction, and higher GPA than boys; and girls have significantly lower levels of self-esteem and grit than boys. Recommendations include strengthening parental involvement and supportive relationships among secondary school adolescents, which could help to reduce smartphone addiction and mental health problems. Additionally, implementing mental health literacy and intervention programs at schools could help to spread awareness, reduce stigma, improve resiliency, and boost self-esteem.