Thai Journal of Public Health

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding COVID-19 among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital

Rama Krishna Supramanian — 2025-12-22

Healthcare workers are the frontline battling the COVID-19 pandemic and are at a high risk of infection. This paper assesses knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 among healthcare workers in Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). This cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare workers in UMMC, Kuala Lumpur. Data collection period was from 1st March to 30th April 2021. A validated 19-item was used to measure knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) scores. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with KAP scores, with significance set at p<0.05. A total of 162 respondents participated, including nurses (37.7%), allied health professional (24.7%), clinical specialist (6.8%), medical assistant (6.2%), medical doctors (4.9%), pharmacist (1.2%) and others (18.5%). Majority of HCWs (98.8%, n=160) had good knowledge, poor attitude (93.2%, n=151) and good COVID-19 preventive measure practices (97.5%, n=158). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that gender (adjusted Odds Ratio, OR 4.41; 95% Confidence Intervals, 95%CI: 1.25, 15.62) and profession (aOR 2.49; 95%CI: 0.68, 9.12) were found to be the significant factors associated with good attitude towards COVID-19 prevention measures. While healthcare workers demonstrated good overall knowledge and practice, their attitude towards COVID-19 prevention was poor. Behavioural interventions are recommended to improve attitude and strengthen safety culture in healthcare settings.

Factors Influencing Occupational Health and Safety Literacy among Healthcare Workers in a Hospital, Chonburi Province

Chayanee Suvithayasiri — 2025-12-22

This study assessed the level of occupational health and safety literacy (OHSL) and its associated factors among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Chonburi Province, Thailand, to inform organizational policy development. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2024 to February 2025 among 409 hospital employees, selected using stratified convenience sampling based on the World Health Organization’s classification of health workforce. Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire adapted from a validated OHSL tool comprising six domains: access, comprehension, communication, decision-making, self-management, and media literacy. Data were analyzed using a computer-based statistical software package. The overall OHSL level was moderate, with a mean score of 140.6 (SD = 22.3) out of 180. The highest domain score was in knowledge and understanding, while media literacy scored lowest. Significant predictors of higher OHSL included university education (p = 0.012), supervisors trained in occupational health and safety (p = 0.008), and high perceived organizational support (p < 0.001). Younger age and employment as health associate professionals were also associated with higher domain-specific scores. These findings highlight that organizational factors, particularly leadership engagement, safety policy implementation, and supportive environments, play a greater role in shaping OHSL than individual characteristics. Strengthening institutional support systems, communication channels, and safety training programs may enhance OHSL and reduce occupational risks among healthcare workers in hospital-based safety management systems.

Barriers to Healthcare Access for Myanmar Migrants in Thailand and Japan during COVID-19

Lalita Kaewwilai — 2025-12-22

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted global health systems, affecting migrants who face multiple barriers to healthcare access. This study explores and compares the healthcare access experiences of Myanmar migrants in Thailand and Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative study was conducted with semi-structured interviews with 20 Myanmar migrants (10 each in Thailand and Japan) and focus group discussions with healthcare professionals in both countries. Data was analyzed thematically using the Health Care Access Barriers (HCAB) model to identify financial, structural, and cognitive barriers. The study revealed multifaceted barriers across financial, structural, cognitive, and cultural dimensions. Financial barriers were particularly pronounced, with migrants in Thailand experiencing significant income loss when seeking medical care. Structural challenges included limited-service accessibility, complicated administrative processes, and geographical constraints. Cognitive barriers manifested through language difficulties, limited health literacy, and fear of discrimination. In Thailand, while the government provided free COVID-19 services to all migrants, challenges persisted in communication and service delivery. Japan presented similar complexities, with migrants facing additional difficulties in system navigation and cultural integration.

Enhancing migrant health equity requires systemic interventions that go beyond individual-level health education. Strengthening community outreach, translation services, and migrant-inclusive policies are crucial. Future efforts should foster collaborative partnerships among healthcare facilities, local governments, NGOs, employers, and the Myanmar government or its embassies in Thailand and Japan, ensuring shared responsibility for the health and well-being of migrant populations.

Health Literacy through Education: A Document Analysis of Thailand’s Basic Health Education Curriculum

Supakit Boonanegpat — 2025-12-30

Health literacy plays a crucial role in fostering informed health decisions and improving health outcomes. This study explores the extent to which Thailand’s basic health education, mandated under the Basic Education Core Curriculum, promotes and aligns with health literacy domains and competencies at a systematic level. Document analysis was employed to systematically study curriculum materials, including curriculum elements, mapped indicators, and issued textbooks. The findings revealed a balanced focus on knowledge retention and application, an underrepresentation of skills to obtain health information, strengths and gaps in the cohesive progression of health literacy competencies, comprehensive coverage of health domains through application, and an overemphasis on health promotion at the expense of other health domains. The study highlights areas that should be reconsidered to incorporate evolving health knowledge and the rapid development of information technology. Implications for future research are discussed.

Development and Evaluation of a Context-Focused Mobile Web Learning Application to Enhance Knowledge and Mental Health Literacy among Hill Tribe Junior High School Students in Northern Thailand

Thapakorn Ruanjai — 2025-12-30

The objectives of this study were to develop and evaluate the hill tribes’ context-focused mobile web learning application learning to enhance knowledge and mental health literacy among hill tribe junior high school students in Chiang Rai Province. This study was conducted in four phases. Phase I involved a situation analysis and needs assessment through 20 in-depth qualitative interviews. Phase II was the design and development phase, Phase III was a pilot test, and Phase IV was implemented with a target of 60 hill tribe junior high school students. Data were collected from December 2023 to September 2024. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis, and the quantitative data were analyzed using repeated-measure ANOVA. The result revealed that mobile web learning applications to promote and support adolescent health should comprise six key functions: (1) Animation-oriented learning stories for mental health literacy in seven languages: Akha, Lahu, Karen, Lisu, Hmong, Yao and Thai, (2) Infographics regarding mental health (3) Mental health screening and recommendation (4) Space or platform to release and express feelings and emotions and (5) A system for providing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and (6) A platform for consulting through the system Line Official Account: www. Wai-Roon-Yak-Roo.com and Facebook Messenger. After the quasi-experiment, a one-group pretest-posttest and follow-up design, it was found that knowledge, mental health literacy, and essential counselling skills were increasing with a statistically significant p-value <0.05. In addition, most participants were very satisfied with the proposed mobile web learning application and mental health literacy training program. In conclusion, promoting mobile web applications combined with mental health literacy programs to increase knowledge, mental health literacy, and counselling skills should be encouraged among this population.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards Protecting School-Age Children from Particulate Matter in Samut Prakan, Thailand

Pitchanan Kajonpet — 2025-12-30

This cross-sectional study evaluated caregivers' practices and identified factors associated with protecting school-age children from exposure to fine particulate matter in the Pak Nam Subdistrict of Samut Prakan Province, Thailand. Qualitative data on the sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of 389 caregivers of students in Grades 1 to 6 from seven elementary schools were collected using a structured questionnaire. Univariate logistic regression was then used to analyze the associations between these variables. The results showed that approximately half of the respondents had good knowledge and positive attitudes, but only 22.8% had good protective practices. These respondents need to improve their practices in checking ambient air quality, minimizing children's exposure, and selecting appropriate masks. Factors associated with good practices included being aged 40-49 years (p=0.010), educational level (p=0.004), and various occupations, such as governmental or private officers (p=0.028), business owners (p=0.004), and retirees or housewives (p=0.004). Furthermore, respondents with good knowledge (OR: 1.98, 95% CI=1.18-3.34, p=0.006) and positive attitudes (OR: 2.01, 95% CI=1.21-3.33, p=0.004) were more likely to exhibit better practices. These findings will help responsible authorities develop a strategic plan to protect children's health.

Lifestyle Medicine Factors Associated with Blood Pressure Level among Pre-Ageing Individuals with Hypertension in a Network of Primary Care Units in Thailand

Napaswan Namboonsri — 2025-12-30

This research aims to study the lifestyle medicine factors associated with blood pressure level among pre-aging individuals with hypertension in a network of primary care units in Thailand. This study uses an analytic cross-sectional design. The purposive sampling was used to select the study area for data collection. Data were collected among 139 participants from September to December 2023. The blood pressure was measured in a sitting position using digital sphygmomanometer. The lifestyle medicine behavior was evaluated using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. Results of the multiple regression analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between sample characteristic and blood pressure levels. However, there were seven lifestyle medicine behaviors associated with the blood pressure level: moderate to vigorous exercise for at least 150 minutes per week; warming up and cooling down before and after exercise; monitoring pulse rate during exercise; consuming whole fruits equivalent to the size of a fist (four pieces per day), or bite-sized fruit pieces (six to eight pieces per day); consuming dried nuts and seeds four to five handfuls per week; monitoring weight or waist circumference; and drinking alcoholic beverages to aid sleep. Some lifestyle medicine factors were associated with blood pressure level among pre-aging people. These factors could be useful for the care of pre-aging individuals with hypertension.