Thai Journal of Public Health

Policies and Practices for Environmental Health Services in Thailand: Surveillance, Prevention, and Management of Diseases and Health Threats Caused by PM2.5

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Thailand has recently faced a worsening PM_2.5crisis, with the air quality fluctuating between safe and unsafe levels. Professionals trained in occupational and environmental health manage integrated environmental health services with geographic information systems to mitigate the health impacts of PM_2.5. Both active and passive measures are employed for the surveillance, prevention, and management of diseases and health threats caused by PM_2.5, thereby ensuring that communities maintain good health in safe environments. Although these practices align well with the environmental characteristics of a country, several challenges remain. This study examined the policies and practices of environmental health services in Thailand using policy analysis and surveillance systems review to gather information, focusing on safeguarding the health of the population affected by PM_2.5 pollution. This study could show Thailand's approach to establishing environmental health services, especially the collaboration between workplaces, communities, government agencies, and health service units, offers a valuable model for other large developing nations. However, its effectiveness is highly dependent on the participation of all sectors of society and a system for monitoring and assessing the situation through continuous evaluation. Moreover, effective law enforcement and unwavering efforts to raise public health awareness in occupational and environmental health are essential for achieving sustainable success.

Reduction of Knee Pain from Osteoarthritis with Thai Massage and Thai Herbal Poultice in Government Hospitals, Thailand

Vanvisa Sresumatchai, Yolchai Jongjiarsiri, Thanida Khunboonchan — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Objectives: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to assess the efficacy of Thai massage combined with a Thai herbal knee poultice in alleviating knee pain associated with osteoarthritis.

Methods: A total of 308 adults aged 44 years and older with clinically diagnosed knee osteoarthritis were recruited from 27 primary care clinics across four public health sectors in Thailand. In this two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) a control group receiving Thai massage alone, or (2) an intervention group receiving Thai massage combined with a Thai herbal knee poultice applied every other day for five sessions, followed by five weekly maintenance sessions. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and at week 5 using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) to evaluate pain, joint stiffness, and physical function. Knee radiographs were also obtained to support clinical assessment.

Results: At week 5 the intervention group experienced significantly greater reductions in resting pain (p = 0.023). Stiffness improved markedly—both on first arising and later in the day (p = 0.001). Physical function gains were superior in the intervention group, including the ability to stand (p = 0.001), rise from a chair (p = 0.001), walk on level ground (p = 0.002), get in and out of a car (p = 0.001), shop, and put on trousers or a sarong (both p = 0.001). No radiographic progression was detected in either group.

Conclusion: A five week regimen of Thai massage augmented with a Thai herbal knee poultice produced clinically and statistically significant improvements in pain, stiffness and physical function compared with massage alone. These findings warrant confirmation in a larger, longer term clinical trial.

Quality of Working Life among Public Health Personnel in Sub-District Health Promoting Hospitals, Nakhon Pathom Province

Mawisa Sukpum, Youwanuch Sattayasomboon, Jutatip Sillabutra, Korravarn Yodmai — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This cross-sectional study aims to assess the quality of work life and explore the association between social support, and organizational climate toward the quality of work life among public health personnel working in sub-district health promoting hospitals in Nakhon Pathom province. A total of 297 respondents was chosen from 60 Sub-district health promoting hospitals. Data were obtained via self-administered questionnaire from July 17 and August 31, 2023. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and the assessment of relationships using chi-square tests, Spearman's rank correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis at a significance level of 0.05.

The findings revealed that the overall quality of work-life was high (Mean = 3.82, S.D. = 0.41). Factors that were statistically significant associated with the quality of work life (p-value < 0.001) included social support (r = 0.746) and organizational climate (r = 0.724). However, no significant association were found between personal characteristics and the quality of work life. The factors predicting the quality of work life included social support and organizational climate. These two factors explained 67.1% of the variance in quality of work life (R² = 0.671).

With these findings, public health administrators and directors of SDPHP should prioritize policies and interventions that strengthen social support and improve organizational climate. Strengthening these factors can help to establish a better work environment, ultimately increasing job satisfaction and overall workforce well-being.

Effectiveness of an Active Learning Program for Enhancing Knowledge, Attitudes and Empathy toward Older Adults among Junior Secondary School Students

Wanida Boonpuang, Mondha Kengganpanich, Siriporn Santre, Passakorn Suanrueang — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This quasi-experimental research with non-equivalent compare groups pretest-posttest designs aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an active learning program for enhancing knowledge, attitudes and empathy toward older adults among junior secondary school students. The sample consisted of 68 grade 8 students, divided into two groups, namely 33 students for an experimental group, 35 students for a comparison group. The experimental group received an active learning program, which included six in-class activities, a 50-minute learning session, and five online activities during the week via the LINE Application. The study period of this program was 6 weeks. Data was collected by self-administered questionnaires at pre- and post- experimental periods. The data analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including the Chi-square test, independent t-test, and Paired Samples t-test to compare the score differentiations.

The research findings revealed that after the intervention, the experimental group demonstrated a statistically (p <0.05) significant increase in mean scores across two dimensions namely, knowledge and empathy toward older adults, compared to both their pre-intervention scores and those of the comparison group. Except dimensions of attitudes toward older adults showed an increase in mean scores, but no statistically (p =0.121) significant was found. However, after the experiment, the experimental group had a significantly (p = 0.021) higher mean score than the comparison group.

These results indicate the program able to support as a guideline for enhancing adolescents’ knowledge and understanding of older adults while fostering positive attitudes and empathy by integrating them into school curricula. This, in turn, may contribute to improving the quality of life and well-being of older adults.

Effects of Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) Consumption on Anthropometric Markers of Adiposity among Adults with Metabolic Syndrome

Wisanuwong Prasertkhongkha, Jirayu Lainampetch, Patcharanee Pavadhgul — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) contains nutrients and phytochemicals linked to a lower risk of metabolic syndrome. This randomized controlled trial examined the effect of kale ingestion on adiposity markers including body weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat, and visceral fat percentages in 78 adults with metabolic syndrome over 8 weeks. Participants were divided into two groups by stratified random sampling. The 38 participants in the experimental group received 70g of fresh kale daily, while a placebo containing 250 mg of corn starch was given to 40 participants in the control group. Throughout the intervention, from baseline to week 8, dietary records showed that percentage changes in vitamin A, B2, C, E, and calcium intake were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group, while changes in energy intake and expenditure between the groups were not significantly different. Comparing anthropometric markers revealed a significant decrease in waist circumference in the experimental group compared to baseline. However, body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and visceral fat percentage did not show significant differences within or between the groups. The results suggest that daily ingestion of 70g of kale may reduce waist circumference and could be considered an alternative method for preventing metabolic syndrome.

A One-Year Prospective Cohort Study of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Sociodemographic Factors in Thailand

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Objective: COVID-19 was declared a global health emergency in January 2020 and a pandemic in March 2020. Although its clinical features and risk factors have been widely studied, most research has relied on retrospective or cross-sectional data, limiting insight into asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cases. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its association with sociodemographic factors in a Thai population.

Method: A one-year prospective cohort study was conducted from October 2021 to November 2022 at Prachatipat Hospital, Pathum Thani (N = 202), and Vichaivej International Hospital (Samut Sakhon), Samut Sakhon (N = 212). Adults aged 18–65 years who were asymptomatic at baseline were enrolled and completed self-administered questionnaires at five time points. Sociodemographic, clinical, and vaccination data were analyzed for associations with infection. Results: The cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 47% at Prachatipat Hospital and 40% at Vichaivej International Hospital (Samut Sakhon). Reinfections occurred in 5.3% and 17.9% of participants, respectively, with no relapses reported. Genomic surveillance identified Delta and Omicron as the predominant variants during the study period. Common symptoms included cough, sore throat, fever, runny nose, and fatigue. Higher infection rates were observed among healthcare workers and individuals with specific sociodemographic profiles.

Conclusion: These findings provide important insights into infection patterns and risk factors across diverse Thai populations and may support more targeted public health strategies.

Health Literacy Status and Its Determinants among School Teachers in Ahlone District, Yangon

Swe Mar Myint Lwin, Nilar Aye Tun, Khaing Lay Mon — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Objective: Schools globally support public health goals alongside education; however, despite having supportive environment to get better access to reliable health information, teachers’ participation in health promotion remains low, and their health literacy levels are still unclear, even though teacher health literacy is a key factor in fostering health behavior in schools. This study aimed to assess school teachers' health literacy status and explore its determinants among school teachers in Ahlone district, Yangon Region, Myanmar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 355 school teachers in the Alone District, Yangon Region, using self-administered, culturally adapted Burmese translation of the European health literacy questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47), a validated comprehensive health literacy survey tool. The study period was from December 2022 to February 2023. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the determinants of health literacy status. Results: Among school teachers, adequate health literacy was 107 (30.1%), and limited health literacy was 248 (69.9%). The results showed that the absence of anyone in family members who attended health related trainings [AOR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.13, 0.98, p=0.047], and who watched health education movies sometimes [AOR: 0.32, 95%CI: 0.11, 0.88, p=0.027] were less likely to have adequate health literacy status compared with their counterparts among school teachers in this study. Conclusion: Only one-third of school teachers had adequate health literacy level in this study and therefore, providing health related trainings and encouragement of watching health education movies more frequently needs to be focused on increasing the health literacy status among school teachers.