Factors Influencing Disease Prevention Behaviors for Helminth (Parasitic Worm) Infections Among the Moken Community in Mu Ko Surin National Park, Kuraburi District, Phang Nga Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey research aimed to examine the influence of health literacy on preventive behaviors against helminth infections among the Moken community in Mu Ko Surin National Park, Khura Buri District, Phang Nga Province. The study population consisted of 153 residents aged 15 years and older. Data were collected between May and July 2025. The research instrument was a questionnaire assessing health literacy and preventive behaviors regarding helminth infections. The questionnaire was validated by three experts, with content validity indices ranging from 0.67 to 1.00. The reliability coefficient was 0.83 for the health literacy scale and 0.96 for the preventive behavior scale. Statistical analyses, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used for data analysis and multiple regression analysis (p < 0.05) was preformed. The results revealed that: 1) The levels of health literacy among participants were as follows: Access to health information (Xˉ = 3.25, S.D. = 0.20), knowledge and understanding (Xˉ = 3.13, S.D. = 0.91), decision-making skills (Xˉ = 3.21, S.D. = 0.47), and media literacy (Xˉ = 3.10, S.D. = 0.44) were at a moderate level and self-management (Xˉ = 2.25, S.D. = 0.43) and communication skills (Xˉ = 2.09, S.D. = 0.44) were at a low level. 2) Preventive behaviors against helminth infections were at a moderate level (Xˉ = 2.74, S.D.= 0.21). 3) The factors predicting preventive behaviors against helminth infections were media literacy related to helminth infections, access to information about helminth infections, and communication skills regarding helminth infections. These factors explained 15.10% of the variance in preventive behaviors. Therefore, relevant agencies should support and promote health literacy regarding helminth infections. The process of enhancing health literacy should be adapted by developing interpreters or training Moken community members to serve as village health volunteers to ensure accurate communication and appropriate access to information.