UBRU Journal for Public Health Research

Faculty of Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University

Faculty of Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University — 2026-04-30

The effects of a health perception and belief promotion program on hypertension prevention behaviors among at-risk population in Muang Sri Khai Subdistrict, Warinchamrap District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Siriwan Chantarasiri — 2026-04-30

This quasi-experimental research with a two-group pretest-posttest design aimed to study the effects of a health belief promotion program on hypertension prevention behaviors among at-risk individuals in Muang Sri Khai Subdistrict, Warinchamrap District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. The sample consisted of 86 individuals aged 35-59 years who were at risk of developing hypertension. Participants were selected using simple random sampling and divided into an experimental group and a comparison group, with 43 participants in each group. The experimental group received a health belief promotion program based on Rosenstock's Health Belief Model. The intervention involved participatory learning activities and various media formats, such as PowerPoint presentations, videos, and brochures. Research instruments included a structured questionnaire and a blood pressure monitor (OMRON brand). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, specifically the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test and the Mann-Whitney U Test.

The results revealed that after the intervention, the experimental group showed significantly higher mean scores in knowledge about hypertension, health beliefs, and hypertension prevention behaviors based on the "3A" principles compared to before the intervention (p<0.001). These findings suggest that the program had a positive impact on the health behavior changes of at-risk individuals by enhancing their knowledge and improving behaviors related to nutrition and stress management-key factors in the sustainable prevention of hypertension.

The development of marketing management model by using participatory processes to reduce the risk of spreading the Coronary Virus 2019 (COVID-19)

Thanaphon Khamthiang — 2026-04-30

This study aimed to examine knowledge of market sanitation and the behaviors of buyers and sellers, and to develop a management model for the Ban Du Subdistrict Municipality fresh market using a participatory approach to reduce the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. The study sample consisted of 400 buyers selected through simple random sampling and 80 registered sellers. Data collection instruments included a structured questionnaire, data recording forms, audio recorders for focus group discussions, and cameras. Data were collected between November 2021 and May 2022. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

The results indicated that most participants had a high level of knowledge. Among buyers, 353 participants (88.30%) demonstrated a high level of knowledge, while among sellers, 66 participants (82.50%) showed similarly high levels. Regarding preventive behaviors, most buyers demonstrated good practices (155 participants; 38.75%), whereas most sellers demonstrated very good practices (45 participants; 56.25%).

The findings were used to develop a fresh market management model through a participatory process. This resulted in the establishment of two sets of guidelines aimed at reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission: (1) five guidelines for vendors, food handlers, and market workers, and (2) six guidelines for buyers. These guidelines were officially implemented as standard practices within the Ban Du Subdistrict Municipality market and were strictly enforced for all users to reduce the risk of the market becoming a source of disease transmission.

The study suggests that continuous health education and regular dissemination of information regarding COVID-19 are essential to enhance knowledge and awareness among both vendors and customers, ultimately promoting behavioral changes in a timely manner.

The effectiveness of dental health education program by applying social support theory on dental caries prevention behaviors of primary school students in Amnat Charoen Province

Kamlaikhwun Rattanasri — 2026-04-30

This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a dental health education program based on social support theory on caries prevention behaviors among primary school students in Mae Subdistrict, Lue Amnat District, Amnat Charoen Province. The experimental group received an integrated dental health education program incorporating social support, while the comparison group received a standard dental health education program.

The research instrument was a structured interview questionnaire consisting of five dimensions: general information, knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and perceived social support. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and independent t-tests.

The results revealed that, after the intervention, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher mean scores in knowledge (M = 13.94, SD = 1.08), attitude (M = 43.14, SD = 1.45), behavior (M = 26.54,
SD = 1.86), and social support (M = 22.48, SD = 2.47) compared with their pre-intervention scores (p < .001) and the control group (p < .001).

In conclusion, the dental health education program based on social support theory effectively improved students’ knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and perceived social support, leading to more appropriate oral health care behaviors.

Association of social media content and mental health impact among adolescents

Chaiyanan Muanphetch — 2026-04-30

The purpose of this cross-sectional descriptive study was to examine the association between social media content exposure and mental health outcomes among adolescents. The study was conducted among university students in the eastern region of Thailand. A multistage random sampling technique was used to recruit a sample of 379 participants. Data were collected using an online questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression, with results reported as adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals.

The results indicated that most participants were exposed to positive social media content, particularly comedic content (61.1%), while 41.8% reported exposure to negative content, such as crime-related information. Exposure to negative content was significantly associated with several mental health outcomes. Adolescents who frequently engaged with negative content were more likely to experience imitative behavior (AOR = 2.518, 95% CI: 1.570–4.039), mood swings (AOR = 1.959, 95% CI: 1.199–3.202), anxiety (AOR = 1.824, 95% CI: 1.131–2.943), irritability (AOR = 1.659, 95% CI: 1.005–2.738), and difficulty concentrating (AOR = 1.639, 95% CI: 1.016–2.645).

The findings suggest that the type of social media content consumed by adolescents is associated with their emotional and mental health status. These results highlight the importance of promoting positive media content exposure and strengthening digital media literacy to mitigate potential adverse mental health effects.

Prevalence and factors associated with the use of health products for glycemic control among diabetes mellitus patients, Mueang District, Phatthalung Province

Duanghatai Santikanjanapat — 2026-04-30

This analytical cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of, and factors associated with, the use of health products for blood glucose control among patients with diabetes in Mueang District, Phatthalung Province, Thailand. The study sample comprised 390 diabetic patients during the 2024 fiscal year. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire, which was reviewed by three experts for content validity, yielding item-objective congruence (IOC) values ranging from 0.67 to 1.00. The reliability of the instrument was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.83. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis.

The results showed that the prevalence of health product use was 8.7%. The most commonly used products were dietary supplements (50.0%) and herbal medicines (23.5%). Factors significantly associated with health product use included the absence of comorbidities (OR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.13–7.57, p = 0.027), higher HbA1c levels (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.03–1.66, p = 0.026), receiving recommendations from family members, higher awareness of health problems, and strong family and community support (p < 0.05).

It is recommended that health education and awareness programs be strengthened, along with appropriate family and community support for patients with diabetes, particularly those with poor glycemic control and no comorbidities. Such interventions may support patients in making informed and safe decisions regarding the use of health products alongside conventional medical treatment, thereby contributing to improved blood glucose control.

The effect of a self-management program for schizophrenic patients on violent severity

Yaowaret Boonrattanasuttho — 2026-04-30

This study employed a quasi-experimental design to examine the effectiveness of a self-management program on violence severity among patients with schizophrenia. The participants were patients with schizophrenia at high risk of violence (Serious Mental Illness with High Risk to Violence: SMI-V) admitted to the psychosocial department at Khamkuaenkaew Hospital.

A total of 40 participants were equally assigned to an experimental group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). The experimental group received a self-management program for violent behavior over a period of 2 weeks, consisting of five sessions.The research instruments included: (1) a self-management program based on the concept proposed by Ryan and Sawin (2009), (2) a demographic data form, (3) the Prasri Violence Severity Scale (PVSS), and (4) the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). The intervention was validated by three experts, yielding a content validity index (CVI) of 0.90. Inter-rater reliability was 0.88, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.80.Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and two-way ANOVA.

The results indicated that the self-management program significantly reduced violence severity scores in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < .05). The mean violence severity scores in the experimental group decreased at 2 weeks (3.65 ± 1.25) and further decreased at 4 weeks post-intervention (1.55 ± 2.27).

In conclusion, the self-management program effectively reduced the severity of violence risk among patients with schizophrenia.

Health risk assessment of oil palm farmers in Makham Tia Subdistrict, Mueang Surat Thani District, Surat Thani Province

Jitralada Kittijaruwattana — 2026-04-30

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the health status and risk factors among oil palm farmers in Surat Thani province. Data were collected from 186 participants using a health risk assessment questionnaire and the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tool. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.

The majority of participants were male (83.3%) and Thai (94.6%), with a mean age of 39.7 ± 10.3 years, mean body weight of 61.3 ± 7.6 kg, and mean height of 166.1 ± 16.1 cm. Most participants (75.3%) had a normal body mass index (BMI). A large proportion (88.2%) performed lifting and moving tasks, and 60.2% reported musculoskeletal pain or injuries. Regarding environmental exposure, 64.5% were exposed to dust and 73.7% to biological hazards (e.g., pathogens, animals, or insects). Additionally, 80.0% reported fatigue, exhaustion, and excessive sweating due to heat exposure, while 73.1% experienced skin rashes from insect bites or stings.

Ergonomic risk assessment using REBA showed that 52% of participants were at high risk (score ≥11), 32% at moderate-to-high risk (score 8–10), and 16% at moderate risk (score 4–7).

The findings suggest that interventions such as improving work posture, modifying work techniques, and using appropriate tools or equipment are necessary to reduce ergonomic risks and prevent work-related injuries.

Understanding diabetes: awareness and misconceptions among high school and university students in Bangkok and vicinities

Jidapha Wannaprabha — 2026-04-30

Diabetes is an increasing public health concern in Thailand, particularly among younger populations. To support effective prevention, early awareness and accurate understanding of the disease are essential. This cross-sectional study assessed diabetes awareness, perceived risk, and factors influencing risk perception among 1,063 high school and university students in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. Participants completed an online questionnaire covering demographic information, a 20-item diabetes knowledge test, and a self-assessment of perceived risk for developing diabetes. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

Over half of the participants (54.66%) had low knowledge scores, while only 15.24% demonstrated high knowledge. Most perceived themselves at moderate (45.52%) or low (24.65%) risk of developing diabetes. Family history of diabetes and knowledge level were significant predictors of risk perception (p< 0.001).

The findings reveal critical knowledge gaps and highlight the influence of family history on risk perception. Targeted health education for youth is essential to improve understanding and reduce future diabetes risk.

The effects of a web-based learning program on promoting literacy in health care for the home-bound elderly among family caregivers in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Autsarawut Butthet — 2026-04-30

This research is a quasi-experimental research, divided into 2 groups, 35 people each, namely an experimental group and a comparison group. The study employed a two group pretest-posttest design. The purpose of this research to study the effects of a web-based learning program on promoting literacy in health care for the home-bound elderly among family caregivers in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Using the activity period of 12 weeks. Data were collected using questionnaires. Analyzing and comparing the average results with Paired t-test, t-test and ANCOVA statistics.

The research results found that 1) after the experiment, the average score of literacy in health care for the home-bound elderly among family caregivers in the experimental group was significantly better than before the experiment. (Mean Diff.= 21.49, 95%CI 15.82-27.15, p-value <0.001) and after the experiment, the mean score of the behavior in health care for the home-bound elderly among family caregivers in the experimental group was significantly better than before the experiment. (Mean Diff.= 9.69, 95%CI 7.63 - 11.75, p-value <0.001) And 2) After the experiment, the mean score of literacy in health care for the home-bound elderly among family caregivers in the experimental group was significantly better than the comparison group. (Mean Diff.= 21.11, 95%CI 16.44 – 25.79, p-value <0.001) and after the experiment, the mean score of the behavior in health care for the home-bound elderly among family caregivers in the experimental group was significantly better than the comparison group. (Mean Diff.= 10.11, 95%CI 8.19 – 12.03, p-value <0.001)

Therefore, the developed program can be applied to promote health literacy in care for the home-bound elderly in other groups of elderly caregivers.

The effects of a sexual health literacy enhancement program on cervical cancer prevention behaviors related to human papillomavirus infection among upper primary school female students in Yasothon Province

Nutchanet Naiyakun — 2026-04-30

This quasi-experimental study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a sexual health literacy promotion program on preventive behaviors for cervical cancer among female upper primary school students in Yasothon Province. The sample size was determined using power analysis, yielding 82 participants, with 41 students in the experimental group and 41 in the comparison group. The intervention consisted of a 12-week structured sexual health literacy promotion program.

Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics, including paired t-test and independent samples t-test.

The results showed that after the intervention, the experimental group had significantly higher mean scores in sexual health literacy, including knowledge and understanding, access to health information and services, communication skills, self-management, media literacy, and decision-making skills (p < 0.05). Preventive behaviors for cervical cancer were also significantly improved. Additionally, the post-intervention mean scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the comparison group (p < 0.05).