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    The Preparedness of Sub-district Administrative Organization (SAO) for Development of Quality of Life of Persons with disabilities in Chonburi Province
    (Journal of Ratchasuda College for Research and Development of Persons with Disabilities, 2011-03-11) Parntubovorn, Nongnuch; ภาควิชาการพัฒนาชุมชน คณะสังคมสงเคราะห์ศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์
              The objectives for this research were to study on the preparedness of Sub-district Administrative Organization (SAO) in term of the quality of life development for Persons with Disabilities including study on the relationship between the preparedness and the implementation of SAO. The population of this research was the chairman of SAO or the authorized representative from 58 SAOs in Chonburi province. The questionnaire was used as a tool of this research to conduct the data.          The results indicated that; the preparedness of SAOs in Chonburi province for the quality of life development for Persons with  Disabilities in the issues of knowledge, crippled database, quality of life development plan for Persons with  Disabilities in local level, human resources, budget including collaboration with other organization or alliances which related to Persons with  Disabilities and could be classify into 3 levels (high, moderate, and low) was in high and moderate level of all preparedness issues. As the 5 issues of SAO implementation part which were medical, education, social, occupation, and building including facilities for Persons with Disabilities indicated that, the SAOs in Chonburi province was in moderate and low level.              The result of the relationship between the preparedness and the implementation of SAO presented that the issues of Persons with  Disabilities database and quality of life development plan for Persons with  Disabilities in local level in SAO properness part was related to SAO implementation in all issues. And the issues of budget and collaboration with other organization or alliances were related to only 4 issues of SAO implementation. However, there was no relationship between the knowledge in part of SAO preparedness and all 5 issues of SAO implementation.
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    Attitudes toward and Problems in Providing Services to Persons with Disabilities of Taxi Drivers
    (Journal of Ratchasuda College for Research and Development of Persons with Disabilities, 2011-03-11) Mittanonsakul, Kanjana
               The purposes of this study were to investigate attitude and problems of taxi drivers and to investigate the relationship between the taxi drivers’ attitude toward their personal information. The Attitude Toward Disable Person Scale (ATDPS) Form A was used as a research tool to find out its mean scores, standard deviation and percentage. A questionnaire was also used to find out and specify problems of taxi drivers while providing their service to disabilities persons. The sampling of this study consists of 100 taxi drivers in Bangkok metropolitan area. These data were completely collected in June 2010.            The results of this study revealed taxi drivers’ attitude towards disabilities persons at medium level tending to high level of the scale. The problems of the taxi drivers while providing service to disabilities persons were specified as following: concerning about ability of disabilities persons to get on and get off a taxi; concerning about providing service to in congestion area; concerning about ability to give direction of disabilities persons; lack of knowledge for help and supporting disabilities persons to get on and get off a taxi; and also concerning about communication with deaf person. The recommendations of this study were: (1) giving knowledge and skills of help and supporting disabilities persons for taxi drivers is necessary to increase their confident and also motivate them to provide their service to disabilities persons; (2) supporting disabilities persons to increase their self-esteem and providing impression image of disabilities persons to public also necessary.
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    Access to Work Opportunity in Labour Markets of Persons with Physical Disabilities in Samutprakarn Province
    (Journal of Ratchasuda College for Research and Development of Persons with Disabilities, 2011-03-11) Siriwattanakul, Orawan; บริษัทลิ้งค์เกจ จำกัด
              This research aims to study access to work opportunity, opinions on relevant factors of work opportunity and factors related to work opportunity. This quantitative research covered 398 persons with physical disabilities working in Samutprakarn Province according to the performance report of Ministerial Regulations on Employment (Disabled Persons) for the Year 2009 prepared by Samutprakarn Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office. With the Simple Random Sampling Method and Multi - Stage Sampling Method, the sample size was 196 as set by Krejcie and Morgan Table and classification lists by district and sub-district groups. It was found that knowledge on job application was at the low level; consultancy and job application was at the moderate level; and employment was at the low level. The first reason of employment was skills responding to employers needs, followed by opportunity provided by employers. The occupational training and different occupation analysis had relationships with consultancy. From this study, the recommendations are that,   persons with disabilities should be supported to access various training services, employers employing persons with disabilities and recognizing their capability should provide information to employer associations in order to provide more work opportunity to persons with disabilities, families should encourage self reliance of children with disabilities to have jobs and incomes.  Persons with disabilities should develop their occupational skill and knowledge to strengthen their capability to meet employers’ needs.
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    Developing Ability of Muscle Ties Big for Person with Physical Impairment or Movement Health Problem by Coconut Shell Treats
    (Journal of Ratchasuda College for Research and Development of Persons with Disabilities, 2011-03-11) Suwan, Rangsiwut; ศูนย์การศึกษาพิเศษประจำจังหวัดสระแก้ว
              The purpose of this research is to made and developing coconut shell treats and study ability of muscle ties big for person with physical impairment or movement health problem after coconut shell treats. Sample was person with physical impairment or movement health problem 3- 10 year do not be crippled person overlaps. Register take serve from zero special provincial Srakaew education, the academic year is 2550-2551 were 11 person by Purposive Sampling. The instrument was the coconut shell treats and observes the behaviour. The data were analyzed by using percentage, mean, standard deviation and t-test.          The findings were as follows:          1. group trains muscle skill ties big, group coconut shell name treats, that design go up effective E1/E2 70.27/70.91          2. Ability of muscle ties big for person with physical impairment or movement health problem by coconut shell treats 3-10 years after, have train stand, walk, stand on tiptoe foot  had Ability of muscle ties big higher had different by statistical significant .05          3. Affect satisfaction of parent and participant relates Developing Ability of muscle ties big for person with physical impairment or movement health problem by coconut shell treats valuable share between 3.84 - 4.11 stay in most levels. Average most is the safety of coconut shell group treats and time devoting of parent next participating participatory of parent in the helping develops the muscle ties big.
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    A Model of Orientation and Mobility Training Program: Case Studies of Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) at Siriraj Hospital, Thailand
    (Journal of Ratchasuda College for Research and Development of Persons with Disabilities, 2011-03-11) Pramojanee, Araya
              The objectives of this study were: to explore mobility problems of patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and to develop a mobility training program that meets the needs of these patients. Twenty participants, who met the inclusion criteria, were purposely selected from patients with retinitis pigmentosa at the eye clinic of Siriraj Hospital, Thailand from June 15 – December 30, 2009. These participants were interviewed by using structured interview forms. The data regarding their mobility problems were analyzed using descriptive statistics.          Three patients from these participants volunteered to be individual case studies in a 4-week mobility training program. The program was developed to meet the mobility needs of each participant. Each participant was assessed for their difficulty in traveling with pre and post training. Their mobility was also observed during their training in the Siriraj hospital area.          The results of the interviews showed that the most difficult mobility situations for the 20 patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) were moving around social gatherings and walking alone at night. As a result of practicing mobility skills in this training program, all participants improved their mobility skills and were more satisfied with this training program. They also agreed that it was appropriate for patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
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    Access to Mass Media by Disabled Youths in the Greater Bangkok Area
    (Journal of Ratchasuda College for Research and Development of Persons with Disabilities, 2011-03-11) Thonggroy, Monruedee
              The objective of this study is to investigate: The situation regarding access to mass media by disabled youths in the greater Bangkok area; and problems encountered while accessing mass media.          Fifty-five samples of this qualitative research were purposively selected, consisting of four groups of disabled youths: 16 youths with visual impartment from the Bangkok School for the Blind, 17 youths with hearing impairment from the Nonthaburi School for the Deaf, 15 youths with physical impairment from Srisangwal School in Nonthaburi province and seven teachers who took care of youths with intellectual disabilities at Panyanukul School in Chachoengsao province. Interview guidelines were used for data collection. An analytical-descriptive approach was used for data analysis.          Results: (1) Youths with visual impairment reported access to radio, because radios provided the most details via voice, followed by television and the Internet. They accessed the Internet using the PPA Tatip software program, which transformed text into speech. Youths with hearing impairment reported access to the Internet via the Camfrog and MSN programs, followed by television and publications. Youths with physical impairment reported they accessed television, followed by the Internet, radio and publications. Youths with intellectual disabilities accessed televisions, followed by radio, the Internet and publications. (2) Youths with visual impairment had problems accessing television, due to unclear narration, as radio broadcasts were clearer; and problems with the Internet, due to a shortage of the PPA Tatip program. Youths with hearing impairment had problems with an absence of sign language and subtitles being too small and moving too quickly at the bottom of the screen. Youths with physical impairment lacked supplemental instruments for computer use. Youths with intellectual disabilities had different problems with access, depending on particular disability and perception problems.
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    Needs for Assistive Technology Devices in the Homes of Elderly Patients and Patients with Disabilities Who Received Treatments at the Physical Therapy Unit, Golden Jubilee Medical Center
    (Journal of Ratchasuda College for Research and Development of Persons with Disabilities, 2011-03-11) Suanlim, Supattra; คณะสถาปัตยกรรมศาสตร์ สถาบันเทคโนโลยีพระจอมเกล้าเจ้าคุณทหารลาดกระบัง; Kutintara, Benjamas; คณะสถาปัตยกรรมศาสตร์ สถาบันเทคโนโลยีพระจอมเกล้าเจ้าคุณทหารลาดกระบัง
               The objective of this research was to study the needs for assistive technology devices in the homes of elderly patients and patients with disabilities who receive treatments at Physical Therapy Unit, Golden Jubilee Medical Center, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakhon Pathom Province. The data were collected by conducting interviews (with illustrations) with medical staff, elderly patients, patients with disabilities, and their relatives or caregivers. After analyzing the data, the  results were as follows: elderly patients and patients with disabilities were divided into three groups. The first group comprised patients who were completely dependent. The second group consisted of  patients with disabilities who were partially dependent. The third group included those who wanted to live independently. From the study, it was found that on these three groups had different needs for assistive technology device. The first group had very little need for facilities due to their high dependence on caregivers. The second group needed more assistive technology devices and considered facilities for future use. The third group had specific needs on the design of suitable facilities that could help them live like a normal person.
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    Living Condition of Elderly with Dementia at home
    (Journal of Ratchasuda College for Research and Development of Persons with Disabilities, 2011-03-11) Saengsida, Chanun; ภาควิชาเคหการ คณะสถาปัตยกรรมศาสตร์ จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย
            Content The objective of this study was to investigate the social conditions, economic conditions, living conditions and living problems of the elderly with dementia who live in the detached houses.  The data were collected by interviewing the subjects, surveying their living conditions and taking photographs. The initial-stage elderly dementia patients could perform their daily living activities which did not affect their living conditions.  The middle-stage elderly dementia patients were forgetful and aggressive, hid things and walked to and fro, causing problems; for example, they got lost when they walked out of the house, left things in the way and created disorder. The final-stage elderly dementia patients could hardly move so they used less space.  The elderly patients spent most of their time in the bedroom and bathroom, followed by the dining area and the living room.
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    บทบรรณาธิการ
    (Journal of Ratchasuda College for Research and Development of Persons with Disabilities, 2011-03-11) Nuchpongsai, Piyarat; วิทยาลัยราชสุดา มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล
                 วารสารวิทยาลัยราชสุดาเพื่อการวิจัยและพัฒนาคนพิการฉบับนี้ยังคงนำผลงานการวิจัยที่นำเสนอในการสัมมนาวิชาการระดับชาติด้านคนพิการ เมื่อวันที่ 30 กรกฎาคม 2553 ณ โรงแรมเซ็นจูรี่พาร์ค กรุงเทพฯ ต่อจากฉบับที่ 1 โดยเนื้อหาจะเน้นในเรื่องการปรับสภาพแวดล้อมที่เหมาะสม การพัฒนาคุณภาพชีวิตคนพิการทั้งทางด้านการเข้าถึงข้อมูลและโอกาสของคนพิการ เช่น สภาพการอยู่อาศัยในที่อยู่อาศัยประเภทบ้านเดี่ยวของผู้สูงอายุที่มีสภาวะสมองเสื่อม การเข้าถึงโอกาสการทำงานในตาดแรงงานของคนพิการทางการเคลื่อนไหวหรือทางร่างกายในจังหวัดสมุทรปราการ การเข้าถึงสื่อมวลชนของเยาวชนพิการในเขตกรุงเทพมหานครและปริมณฑล เป็นต้น             สำหรับวารสารวิทยาลัยราชสุดา ปีที่ 7 ฉบับที่ 1 ได้มีผู้ส่งบทความวิจัยเพื่อขอตีพิมพ์บ้างแล้ว หากผู้ที่ทำงานเกี่ยวข้องกับคนพิการสนใจที่จะเผยแพร่ประสบการณ์ ความรู้ที่เป็นประโยชน์แก่ผู้ที่ทำงานพัฒนาคุณภาพชีวิตคนพิการ สามารถเขียนเรื่องราวหรือประสงค์ให้กองบรรณาธิการไปสัมภาษณ์ใคร เรื่องใด ก็สามารถแจ้งมาได้ ไม่จำเป็นต้องเป็นงานวิจัย กองบรรณาธิการยินดีเป็นสื่อกลางที่จำนำเรื่องที่เป็นประโยชน์มาเผยแพร่
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    How to spend the happy elderly life
    (Journal of Public Health, 2010-04-06) Sutham Nanthamongkolchai
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    Parenting styles, Emotional intelligence, and Intelligence quotients in Thai school-aged children in Tukdang community, Bangkok Metropolis
    (Journal of Public Health, 2010-04-04) Panan Pichayapinyo; Arpaporn Pawwattana; Sulee Thongvichaen
    The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationships among parenting style, emotional intelligence, and intelligence quotients in Thai school aged children, Bangkok. Sixty-seven parents or care takers and eighty-seven children randomly selected from Tukdang community were the sample. Data were collected by four instruments-the Parenting Styles Questionnaires, the Emotional Quotients Test, Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices for children aged 6 to 9 years, and the Standard Progressive Matrices for children aged 10 and over. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA were performed to analyze the data. The finding of this study revealed that the protection style was practiced by the majority of the parents followed by the authoritative style. Additionally, despite the fact that statistically significant relationship was not found among factors, parents were particularly important for child’s development in EI and IQ. Environment also appeared to impact on their IQ and EI development. Further study to investigate the protection parenting style and its effects in Thai population should be conducted. In order to develop EI and IQ for children who lived in congested areas, interventions such as facilitators, including teachers, and findings better environments should be attempted.
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    Motivation Factors and Operational Efficiency of Supporting Staff in Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University
    (Journal of Public Health, 2010-04-06) Napaporn Muangsakul; Saijai Potisubsuk; Suttilak Wongsaisri; Phitaya Charupoonphol
    This study about the operational efficiency of the supporting staffs in Faculty Public Health Mahidol University aims to investigate the level of operational efficiency of the supporting staffs and factors influencing the operational efficiency, as well as the obstacles to the actions needed to improve the operational efficiency. This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 101 supporting staff during May-June 2007 by using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised of four parts: personal factors, motivation factors affecting the operational efficiency, operational efficiency of the officials, and problems, obstacles and suggestions about the operation which was the open-ended question. Data analysis was done using t-test, one way ANOVA, and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation. The results show that the motivation factors and operation efficiency were at a good level. Considering the personal factors, supporting staffs with the different genders were different in their operational efficiency (p-value = 0.025). However, the different educational levels, ranks, salaries and operational duration did not affect the different levels of operational efficiency. The motivation factors which affected the operational efficiency are advancement, participation in planning, compensation and increase of knowledge positively related to the operational efficiency (p-value \< .05). It is recommended that there should be an improvement of the rules, regulations and order of the steps in the operation in order that they become clearer and more agile, which may be helped by setting up a human resources unit. Emphasis should be placed on paying attention to system planning and effective communication for a better efficiency at work.
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    Molecular Biology Technology in Infectious Diseases
    (Journal of Public Health, 2010-04-06) Chayaporn Saranpuetti
    Genetic engineering brought biotechnology into a new era by a revolution in molecular biology which has occurred over the past several decades. The rapid developments in recombinant DNA techniques have made it possible to genetically alter organisms to give them more useful traits. Molecular biology provided a powerful tool for manipulation microorganisms for medical, industrial, and research uses i.e. detection of infectious diseases, pharmaceutical production, vaccine production, and biosensing. The knowledge in molecular biology leads to the development in detection of infectious diseases: A) hybridization, DNA probes are used to locate nucleotide sequences of interest in individual cells or nucleic acid extracted from samples. B) amplification, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its application can be used to create millions copies of target sequences within a few hours to detect organisms present in extremely small numbers as well as those that cannot yet be grown in culture. C) DNA sequencing, provides a mechanism for determining the evolutionary relatedness of organisms. D) enzymatic digestion, restriction enzymes cut interest DNA into fragments. Each microorganism can be identified by numbers and size of DNA fragments in gel electrophoresis. Many pharmaceutical products are now produced by genetically engineered microorganisms which are safer and more economical than extracting it from animal tissues. In vaccine production, the genes can be cloned into yeast or bacteria so that these cells produce large amount of immunizing proteins. This type of vaccine is currently used to prevent hepatitis B and cervical cancer in humans. Molecular biology also leads to the development of biosensing. High sensitivity of biosensing is necessary for the detection of bioterrorism clues.
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    Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Hypertensive Elderly Service: Outpatient Department and Primary Care Unit of Hua Hin Hospital in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand
    (Journal of Public Health, 2010-04-06) Sasithorn Suratannon; Pirudee Pavananunt; Sukhontha Kongsin; Sukhum Jiamton
    This study aims to analyze the cost-effectiveness of Hypertensive Elderly Service in the OPD and the PCU of Hua Hin Hospital, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The 12 weeks cohort study from June to September 2007 was designed to evaluate the outcome of hypertensive elderly services at the two settings. By purposive selection of new hypertensive elderly patients age 60 years and above, the study included 54 patients from the OPD and 36 from the PCU. Both provider and patient perspective of cost analysis were taken into account. The provider costs data was collected from hospital records while the patient costs data was collected by interview and structured questionnaire. The effectiveness was measured as the average reduction in the systolic blood pressure. Both cost and outcome data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. The results showed that hypertensive elderly service at PCU was more cost-effective than the OPD of Hua Hin Hospital. The cost-effectiveness ratio was 75.05 Bt/mmHg for the hypertensive elderly service in the OPD and 32.60 Bt/mmHg for the PCU. The total costs of the OPD were 1,223.27 Baht while the total costs of the PCU was only 444.69 Baht. The sensitivity analysis of the service costs indicated that unit costs vary with the time used for the stage of patient screening. The study suggested that it is necessary to strengthening the capability of PCU in providing chronic care service in order to reduce the burden of costs to the hospital and to the patients. Health promotion and prevention programs should be encouraged and implemented to people of all ages though there is costs incurred from health promotion programs but it is worth in the long run in term of quality of life and reduction in the costs of treatment.
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    Exploring Breast Cancer Data to Find the Risk Factors for Distant Metastasis: Register Data, The National Cancer Institute of Thailand
    (Journal of Public Health, 2010-04-06) Montida Auayporn; Piangchan Rojanavipart; Chukiat Viwatwongkasem; Arkom Chaiwerawattana; Kitiphong Hancharoen
    A retrospective cohort of registered breast cancer patients at the National Cancer Institute of Thailand in 2004 was investigated to explore the association of prognostic factors with the probability of distant metastasis. The analysis was done using binary and ordinal logistic regression models. There were 893 breast cancer patients included in a 3 year follow up study. During the study period 129 (14.45%) were reported as metastasis cases, which the highest number of metastasis patients was found in bone (47.3%). The prognostic variables related to the distant metastasis breast cancer using binary logistic regression model were found among vascular invasion (OR=8.8), histologic grade III (OR=2.9), lymphatic invasion (OR=2.4), estrogen receptor (OR=2.2), progesterone receptor (OR=2.0), p53 (OR=1.8), tumor size (OR=1.2), radiation therapy (OR=0.5) and hormonal therapy (OR=0.4). Patients in which metastasis occurred within the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years after initial diagnosis were 75, 28 and 26 cases respectively. Using an ordinal logistic regression model, the prognostic factors included vascular invasion (OR=5.6), estrogen receptor (OR=2.3), lymphatic invasion (OR=2.3), histologic grade III (OR=1.9), p53 (OR=2.0), tumor size (OR=1.2), radiation therapy (OR=0.6) and hormonal therapy (OR=0.5). The prognostic factor of vascular invasion showed the highest OR in this study. Another group of variables with moderate OR were estrogen receptor, lymphatic invasion, histologic grade III, p53 and tumor size. The adjuvant therapies were protective factors (OR \< 1). A follow up system for those at risk for metastasis is suggested.
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    Community Participation as a key element in Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza in Song Phi Nong District, Suphan Buri Province
    (Journal of Public Health, 2010-04-06) Pattama Suphunnakul; Tavorn Maton
    The present study is an action research. The objectives were the comparisons the level of knowledge, attitudes, practices, self-efficacy, and the necessity for perception toward prevention and control of avian influenza (AI) before and after training program implementation and evaluation of participation and satisfaction among people in Vang-Ta-Ku Village, Song Phi Nong District, Suphan Buri Province. The samples were 24 key community stakeholders and 199 household representatives. The training program was based on participatory learning action for personal knowledge of AI prevention, farming protection, surveillance and report of disease occurrence, and a community campaign. Data collection was obtained by interviewing, during June-December 2005, with data analysis done by paired T-Test. The results found that, the KAP levels for AI, self-efficacy, and the necessity for perception of prevention and control after implementation were significantly higher than before the implementation (p-value \< 0.001). Householder satisfaction and participation in the activities had higher levels with the percentage of 98.3 and 75.9 respectively.
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    Happiness and Health: Perspectives of Fourth Year Students of Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University
    (Journal of Public Health, 2010-04-06) Piyathida Tridech
    The objective of this survey research is to let 122 fourth year students define the word “Happiness” and find the linkage between happiness and health. All of the students are from the Bachelor of Science in Public Health curriculum, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University. Data was collected from a questionnaire answered during June-July 2550 B.E. The statistical analysis used was numbers and percentage based on one hundred questionnaires returned (81.9%). Research results indicated that 55% of the target group defined happiness as a health dimension, while 33.0% defined happiness as a cheerfulness dimension. For physical status during happiness (answers can be more than one choice), 94% indicated relaxation, while 20% indicated strong heart rate. While they were happy (answers can be more than one choice), 65% indicated that they listened to music, 56% sitting comfortably, and 46% watched movies. Their health status while they were happy was as follows (answers can be more than one choice): 37% indicated that they were active and healthy with, few episodes of sickness, full of energy with encouragement and working whole-heartedly; 34% indicated having good mental health, cheerfulness, no stress, having positive thinking and kindness. Recommendations from the research are: happiness should be promoted among teenage students so that they will have good physical and mental health and be full of power and concentration in studying and live happily in society.
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    Biological Removal of Organic and TKN Using Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) Treating Swine Wastewater
    (Journal of Public Health, 2010-04-04) Apaporn Ruchirased; Sopa Chinwetkitvanich
    Swine wastewater usually contains a high concentration of organic and nutrients, especially nitrogen. Conventional anaerobic treatment is not able to remove TKN from the wastewater. Therefore, the present study modified the anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) in order to simultaneously remove organic and TKN from swine wastewater. The ABR reactor used in this study had an effective volume of 10 liters with 8 compartments. The feed was synthesized from dry swine waste, diluted with tap water, to obtain COD concentration of 4,000 mg/l and TKN of 400 mg/l. Two experiments were conducted anaerobically, but one (named as ABR-1) was aerated in the sixth compartment, and another (named as ABR-2) in the seventh compartment, without sludge or nitrate recycle. The results showed that aeration only in one of eight compartments of the reactor was able to remove TKN with an efficiency of not less than 50 percent and COD with an efficiency of more than 90 percent. In addition, aeration in either the sixth or the seventh compartment did not affect the COD and TKN removal efficiencies significantly. Moreover, this ABR reactor could retain sludge remarkably well and produce low SS effluent.
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    Life Happiness of the Elderly in Rayong Province
    (Journal of Public Health, 2010-04-06) Chutigai Tuntichaivanit; Sutham Nanthamongkolchai; Chokchai Munsawaengsub; Phitaya Charupoonphol
    The objectives of this cross-sectional survey research were to study the life happiness and the factors influencing the life happiness of the elderly in Rayong province. The samples included 400 elderly aged between 60-80 years which were selected by multi-stage random sampling. The data were collected by interview questionnaires from June 1st to July 31st 2008 and analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square test, Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient and Stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results showed that 48.0 percent of the elderly had a moderate level of life happiness, followed by those with a high level (27.8%) and those with a low level (24.2%). The factors which were significantly associated with life happiness of the elderly were gender, education, health condition, personality, self - esteem, family relationships, roles of the elderly in the family, monthly income of the family, social support, participation in social activities and perception of social circumstances (p-value \< 0.05). The statistically significant predictor variables were self-esteem, social support, family relationships, participation in social activities and perception of social circumstances. The result of classification was 91.2% correctly classified. The finding suggest that the responsible organizations should establish the reinforcement to promote happiness of the elderly by improving the elderly’s self-esteem. There should also be sufficient social support, family relationship and participation in social activities as well as management of social circumstances in agreement with individual personal need and life style, to maintain the life happiness of the elderly.
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    Occupational Accidents and Risk Behavior Among Wooden Game Workers
    (Journal of Public Health, 2010-04-06) Wararuk Boonmak; Chawapornpan Chanprasit; Wanpen Songkham
    The main purpose of this descriptive study was to examine occupational accidents, risk behavior and the relationship between occupational accidents and risk behavior among wooden game workers in Chiang Mai province during December, 2007 to January, 2008. The 160 study samples were chosen through a purposive sampling of collected data. The main results demonstrated that the prevalence rate of occupational accidents during the last three months was 90.0%. Further, the prevalence rate of near miss incidents during the last three months was 41.2%. Concerning risk behavior, it was found that the study sample had total risk behaviors at a high level (14.3%) and at a moderate level (71.2%). Considering each aspect of risk behavior of the sample, not using personal protective equipment, using inappropriate machine/equipment and not following work safety rules had risk behaviors at a high level (17.5%, 14.3 % and 17.5% respectively). In addition, it was found that occupational accidents had a significant relationship with total risk behaviors (p-value \< 0.05) and only not using personal protective equipment was found to have a significant relationship with occupational accidents (p-value \< 0.05). The findings of this study indicate that occupational health nurses and related occupational and environmental health and safety organizations should recognize the significance of occupational accidents and continuously conduct systematic surveillance for occupational accidents. In addition, occupational accident prevention should be planned as well as supporting safe behavior or reducing high risk behavior of the workers in the workplace, focusing on not using personal protective equipment. It is anticipated that this will improve safety in the workplace.