CU e-Journals

Journal of Health Research (JHR)

The Journal of Health Research (J Health Res) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by the College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. J Health Res is dedicated to publishing valid research from different areas of public health, such as determinants of illness, benefits of health-related interventions, quality of life, health systems and services development, and environmental health. We especially welcome manuscripts on Asian themes, e.g., Asian culture-based public health interventions, diseases that impose especially heavy burdens in Asian populations, and Asian traditional medicine, to which valid and accepted scientific methodology has been applied.

Current Issue

Journal of Health Research (JHR)
Volume: 34, Issue: 2 (2020)

	Effectiveness of social media for weight reduction on overweight undergraduate students in Thailand
	Tummatida Pattanapongsa, Wiroj Jiamjarasrangsi, Piya Hanvoravongchai, Dumrongsak Pekthong
	Page: 90 - 99
	[Abstract] [PDF] Purpose ? Addressing overweight in the population is an important public health challenge. Use of social media such as Facebook has been proposed as a platform to deliver weight loss interventions to influence behavior change to tackle obesity. The purpose of this paper is to compare the effectiveness of weight loss education and support interventions delivered through online social media (experimental group) vs conventional method (control group). Design/methodology/approach ? The six-month experimental study comprised of a four-month intervention and a two-month follow up from May 2016 to October 2016. All faculties in a university were randomly selected into the experimental or control group. Then, undergraduate students (n ? 66) were randomly recruited from each faculty into the corresponding groups (experimental group ? 33 and control group ? 33). Both groups received health education and support services through either Facebook or the offline support system. The mean differences of main outcomes including body mass index (BMI) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) between groups at baseline and fourth month and baseline and sixth month were compared using t-test. Findings ? The results show those in the experimental group had significantly better outcomes in term of BMI and WHtR at the end of four-month intervention with the mean difference (95% CI) at 0.7 (0.1, 1.3) and 0.01 (0.00, 0.01), respectively. The differences at the end of the study, however, became insignificant. Originality/value ? The health education and support services through Facebook can be used in a weight loss promotion program for BMI and WHtR reduction. On a larger scale to replace conventional programs, a long-term continuous measure is needed.

	Intimate partner violence and utilization of reproductive and maternal health services in Cambodia
	Vanthy Mai, Win Ei Phyu
	Page: 100 - 111
	[Abstract] [PDF] Purpose ? The purpose of this paper is to explore an association between women experience lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV) and women decision making with utilization of reproductive and maternal health services in Cambodia. Design/methodology/approach ? An analysis of secondary data of Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS) 2014. The total number of sample size was 1,539 married women who had birth in the last five years prior to the time of interview and completed the domestic violence module in the CDHS 2014 questionnaire. ?? test and binary logistic regression were performed in this study. Findings ? Results give an evidence that emotional violence had significant impact on receiving sufficient antenatal care (ANC) (OR: 0.7, 95%CI: 0.43?0.86) while physical violence had significant association with deliver with skilled birth attendance (SBA) (OR: 0.5, 95%CI: 0.27?0.79). Further, women?s participation in household decision making played as important factor in enabling women revive sufficient ANC (OR: 1.7, 95%CI: 1.19?2.29), and utilization of modern contraceptive method (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.09?1.97). Originality/value ? This study provides significant finding on the impact of IPV and women?s decision making on reproductive and maternal health in Cambodia. Result has drawn an attention to policy makers, related ministries and stakeholder to promulgate and effectiveness of policies and program implementation within the country.

	Work-environmental determinants of mass fainting illness among textile factory workers: Development of a screening instrument
	Maly Phy, Twisuk Pungpeng, Chaweewon Boonshuyar, Thanu Chartananondh
	Page: 112 - 122
	[Abstract] [PDF] Purpose ? The purpose of this paper is to develop a brief screening instrument to identify risk factors of factory workers experiencing mass fainting illness (MFI) due to work-environmental determinants. Design/methodology/approach ? A factory-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 740 workers in October 2017 and was completed with face-to-face interviews. Data analyses included univariate logistic regression, backward stepwise linear regression and multiple logistic regression. Sum scores on significant items and receiver operator characteristic curves were used to compute potential cut-off points and the sensitivity and specificity rates. Findings ? Significant work-environmental factors were identified as working at very high speeds, having less influence on the choice of working partners, perceived high temperature at work, having less opportunity to do their best at work, and concern about losing a job in the next six months. In developing a screening instrument, a 6.5 cut-off point that corresponded to 99.6 percent sensitivity and 92.2 percent specificity was identified. Originality/value ? The study concludes that this MFI-instrument could potentially be used to prevent MFI. By understanding the policy implications, the government body, employers, workers, development partners and stakeholders should work toward preventing MFI. Implementing a preventive measure is therefore warranted due to the health education impact.

	Effect of probiotic consumption on increasing the CD4+ T cell counts among Iranian patients living with HIV: A double-blind randomized clinical trial
	Hamid Emadi-Koochak, Zeinab Siami, Jayran zebardast, SeyedAhmad SeyedAlinaghi, Ali Asadollahi-Amin
	Page: 123 - 133
	[Abstract] [PDF] Purpose ? During the ART era, persistent immune activation remains a significant challenge in people living with HIV (PLWH). Microbial translocation play an essential role in this setting. Probiotics have several immunological benefits which can reverse this process. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the safety and efficacy of probiotics on CD4 counts among Iranian PLWH. Design/methodology/approach ? In total, 50 PLWH with CD4 counts above 350 cells/mm3 did not receive ART participated in a randomized, double-blind trial and underwent 24 weeks of treatment with either LactoCare? or placebo twice daily. CD4 counts of the patients were measured at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 later in the two groups. Side effects were measured monthly using a specific checklist. Findings ? The mean CD4 count of the patients showed a significant difference between the two groups after six months. Through six months follow up, the mean CD4 count of the patients showed a significant reduction as compared to the baseline in the placebo group; however, it did not show a significant difference in the probiotic group. Repeated Measures Anova test showed a significant effect for time ? treatment interaction on the CD4 count during the trial course. No significant difference between the two groups concerning adverse events was reported. Originality/value ? It seems the use of probiotics in PLWH with a CD4 count above 350 cells/mm3 who are not receiving antiretroviral drugs is safe and can reduce the devastating process of CD4+ T cells in these patients

	System dynamics analysis of dental caries status among Thai adults and elderly
	Nipaporn Urwannachotima, Piya Hanvoravongchai, John Pastor Ansah, Piyada Prasertsom
	Page: 134 - 146
	[Abstract] [PDF] Purpose ? The purpose of this paper is to estimate the changes of dental caries status among Thai adults and elderly under the different policy options using system dynamics modeling. Design/methodology/approach ? A multi-sector system dynamics model was developed to capture the dynamic interrelationship between dental caries status changes and oral health behavior ? including self-care, dental care utilization and sugar consumption. Data used to populate the model was obtained from the Thai national oral health survey in 2000, 2006, 2012 and Thailand Official Statistics Registration. Three policy scenarios were experimented in the model: health promotion policy, dental personnel policy and affordable dental care service policy. Findings ? Dental caries experiences among Thai adults and elderly were projected to increase from now to 2040, as the elderly population increases. Among all policies experimented herein, the combined policies of health promotion, increased affordability and capacity of dental health service were found to produce the highest improvement in dental caries status with 3.7 percent reduction of population with high decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) and 5.2 percent increase in population with very low DMFT. Originality/value ? This study is the first comprehensive simulation model that attempts to explore the dynamic interrelationship among dental caries experiences and behavioral factors that impact on oral health outcomes. In addition, the simulation model herein offers a framework for policy experimentation that provides policymakers with additional insights to inform health policy planning.

	How do personality characteristics of risky pregnant women affect their prenatal distress levels?: A Turkey university hospital cross-sectional study
	Funda Evcili, Gulseren Daglar
	Page: 147 - 159
	[Abstract] [PDF] Purpose ? The prenatal distress level of the pregnant woman is influenced by many variables. Personality characteristics are one of the most important of these variables. Knowing personality characteristics of pregnant women contributes to the personalization of care. The purpose of this paper is to identify the effect of personality characteristics of pregnant women at risk on the prenatal distress level. Design/methodology/approach ? A total of 438 women who were hospitalized based on a medical diagnosis associated with pregnancy were included in the study. The participants were administered the Personal Information Form, Cervantes Personality Scale and Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire. Data were evaluated using the SPSS 22.0 software program. Findings ? Of the pregnant women, 27.4 percent found their ability to cope with stress insufficient, and one-fifth of them found their social support insufficient. The pregnant women at risk with introverted, neurotic and inconsistent personality were found to have high levels of prenatal distress. Research limitations/implications ? This study was conducted on a group of Turkish pregnant women and cannot be generalized to other cultures. The data obtained from the research cannot be used to evaluate the psychological and physical disorders of the pregnant woman. Practical implications ? All health care professionals should evaluate women not only physically but also mentally and emotionally, beginning with the preconceptional period. They should determine the conditions that create distress and identify the personality characteristics that prevent from coping with stress. By using cognitive and behavioral techniques, pregnant women should be trained to gain skills on subjects such as risk perception and stress management, personality characteristics and coping, problem solving, psychological endurance and optimism. Caring initiatives should be personalized in line with personality characteristics of pregnant women. The care offered within this framework will contribute to the strengthening and development of the health of not only the women but also the family and society, and to the reduction of health care costs. Social implications ? Researchers have determined that pregnant women at risk with introverted, neurotic and inconsistent personality characteristics have higher distress levels. They have determined that these pregnant women find their ability to cope with stress more inadequate. It is vital to cope with stress during pregnancy due to its adverse effects on maternal/fetal/neonatal health. Originality/value ? The prenatal distress level of the pregnant woman is influenced by many demographic (age, marital status and socioeconomic level), social (marital dissatisfaction, and lack of social support), personal (self-esteem, neuroticism and negative life experiences) and pregnancy-related (experiencing risky pregnancy, and previous pregnancy experiences) variables. Personality characteristics are one of the most important of these variables. This research is original because there are limited number of studies examining the effect of personality characteristics on prenatal distress level in the literature. And knowing the relationship between personality characteristics and distress by health professionals enables individualization of care. The care offered within this framework will contribute to the strengthening and development of the health of not only the women, but also the family and society, and to the decrease of health care costs.

	The impact of smoke from grilled fish on the hematological parameters of Indonesian grilled fish sellers
	Dwi Purbayanti, Rinny Ardina, Syahrida Dian Ardhany, Rudi Gunawan, Mohammad Rizki Fadhil Pratama
	Page: 160 - 167
	[Abstract] [PDF] Purpose ? Fish processing by grilling can produce emissions that contain toxic compounds that can have short- and long-term effects on human health. Another study reported that exposure to air pollutants is hematotoxic. The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of smoke exposure on fish grill results on hematological parameters. Design/methodology/approach ? The subjects of this study were 90 grilled fish sellers, with 32 processed food sellers who did not sell grill food as a control. The hematological analysis was performed using the Hematology Analyzers KX300 instrument. Findings ? The results showed that the mean value of hematological parameters in the test group was higher than the control group except for the number of lymphocytes and mixed cell parameters. Originality/value ? The content of harmful compounds contained in fish grill smoke can increase hematological value in the blood of exposed individuals, which has the potential for health problems and disease progression.

	Sex in the city: Sexual risk behaviors and sexual harassment among female beer promoters in Chiang Mai province, Thailand
	Mathudara Phaiyarom, Montakarn Chuemchit
	Page: 168 - 178
	[Abstract] [PDF] Purpose ? The purpose of this paper is to determine the sexual risk behavior and sexual harassment among female beer promoters in Chiang Mai, Thailand and analyze the associations among demographic data, sexual activities, sexual orientation, attitudes and working conditions based on the level of sexual harassment. Design/methodology/approach ? This study is a cross-sectional study that approached 184 Thai female beer promoters in Chiang Mai by a snowball sampling technique. Data were collected through a self-administrative questionnaire to find demographic data, sexual activities, sexual orientation, attitudes, sexual risk behavior and sexual harassment while working as a beer promoter. Descriptive, Pearson?s ?2 and Fisher exact tests were performed to describe and determine the associations. Findings ? The findings highlight that sexual risk behaviors and sexual harassment are found among female beer promoters. In total, 62.5 percent of them ever had sexual intercourse and 25.2 percent did not use condom. For sexual harassment, most of respondents had experienced a medium level harassment especially verbal harassment (73.9 percent). It associated with currently student status ( p ? 0.038), having sexual intercourse experience ( p ? 0.024), and type of job ( p ? 0.002). Originality/value ? This paper explores the sexual risk behaviors and sexual harassment among female beer promoters in the northern part of Thailand, containing the information on how common are the types of sexual risk behavior and sexual harassment experiences among a specific and hard-to-reach population.

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