[2026-01-26] Factors Affecting Melioidosis Prevention Behaviors Among People in the Area of Health Zone 10, Ubon Ratchathani

Sitang Philom; Kulchaya Loyha; Supaporn Chaigarun

doi:10.33165/rmj.2026.e275598

Authors

Sitang Philom Infectious Disease Control Group, Provincial Public Health Office, Amnat Charoen, Thailand / Public Health Program, Faculty of Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
Kulchaya Loyha Public Health Program, Faculty of Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7475-4749
Supaporn Chaigarun Public Health Program, Faculty of Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33165/rmj.2026.e275598

Keywords:

Factors, Behavior, Melioidosis, Health Zone 10

Abstract

Background: The number of melioidosis cases in Thailand rose from approximately 3500 in 2022 to more than 4000 in 2023, with provinces in Health Zone 10 experiencing the highest incidence.

Objective: To investigate the factors influencing the melioidosis prevention behaviors of the population in the Health Zone 10 area of Ubon Ratchathani province.

Methods: This cross‑sectional analytic study included 352 adults (≥ 45 years) selected by multistage sampling. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression.

Results: Most of the participants were female farmers (65.90%); 66.8% had nonrisk preventive behaviors, whereas 33.2% were in the risk group. Compared with the age group of 45-55 years, it was found that those aged ≥ 66 years had a significantly lower chance of having inappropriate disease prevention behaviors (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.10; P = .003). Regarding educational level, it was found that the group with completed primary education had a significantly lower chance of having inappropriate disease prevention behaviors (AOR, 0.02; P < .001) than the group with less than primary education. The group with secondary education had a significantly lower chance (AOR, 0.02; P < .001). Regarding occupation, using agriculture (rice farming and gardening) as the reference group, the animal husbandry group was significantly more likely to engage in inappropriate disease prevention behaviors (AOR, 7.91; P = .027). Other occupations also had a significantly higher chance than the reference group (AOR, 13.67; P < .001). Regarding knowledge about melioidosis, those with high knowledge were significantly less likely to engage in inappropriate disease prevention behaviors (AOR, 0.10; P < .001) than those with low knowledge.

Conclusions: Factors associated with disease prevention behaviors included age, education level, occupation, knowledge about melioidosis, and certain health literacy.

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