Socio-demographic Characteristics and Quality of Life Associated with Environmental Health Factor in Pak Panang Community, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand

Abstract

Purpose This study is a descriptive study with the aim to determine Socio-demographic Characteristics and quality of life associated environmental health impact factors in Klongnoi Community Pak Panang district Nakhon Si Thammarat province   

Design/Methodology Overall, 433 Participants were interviewed altogether with questionnaires. An environmental Health Assessment Prevalence of Parasitic disease was conducted, by fecal examination and focus group advancement by representatives from the Village Health Volunteers "VHV".  

Findings 80%of them were female aged more than 30 years old; with an average age of being 54.17 years old. 95%of them were Buddhist, and 5% were Muslim. Their marital status showed that 79% of them were married. The majority, which was 63%, showed that they had graduated from primary school; with an income between 8,500 Thai Bath a month. Furthermore, 73% of them were shown to be inadequate; with an average of 3 family members, an average 2 of family member that needed to be tended to. In the last 3 months, 38% of them had an illness, and 44% of them had a chronic disease. The most common diseases that these individuals had were; Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Hypertension (HT). They did not receive annual medical checkups, and 57% obtained government services for their illnesses for their right to medical attention. For health behavioral factors, some of them had been smoking, and drinking alcohol. In addition, 23% of them ignored to exercise, and 17% of them still ate raw and semi-raw food. Their food behavior, lead to a high consumption in sweets; and in turn high caloric intake overall. For Socio-economic status, it was found that most of them had debt and most of barriers were consuming by 43%. The environmental health obstacles in the area were waste, rodents, insects, water supply and chemical pesticide being used. Also, there have been major issues with the broken road in the community, accident, and safety social issues. Most of them had an excellent quality of life, at 54%. From the sample group, 291 of them had a stool examination with a direct wet smear for parasite prevalence of disease. The data showed 1.72% of prevalence with Ascaris lumbricoid egg, strongyloides stercoralis rhabitiform lava; of which the same person was found in the equilibrium of parasites at a percentage of 2.41.

Conclusion In terms of the focus group discussion, it was found that participation of the community on environmental problems especially waste management water supply and flooding were the main issues; of which the community needed to solve. Lastly, Socio-economic status is associated with both health and quality of life; therefore integration with an organization to solve problems was in desperate need.