Health Care Behaviors of Monks in Surin Municipality

Abstract

The research article aimed at studying the heath care behaviors of monks in Surin municipality. A sample group consisted of 129 monks who had ordained for more than 2 rainy seasons and dwelled in the temples in Surin municipality throughout the rainy season. The study applied a survey research method in which a sample was acquired by means of two-stage sampling. The research instruments included a questionnaire on health care behaviors of monks comprising 3 parts: the 1st part on general information; the 2nd part on personal information; and the 3rd part on health care behaviors of monks in all 5 aspects, in a total of 45 questions. The reliability of the instrument was tested by using Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient and was equal to 0.87. The acquired data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. From the study, it was found that most of the health care behaviors of monks are at a high level with a percentage of 82.20 ( = 3.21, S.D. – 0.52). When considering the health care behaviors of monks in each aspect, it was found as follows: 1) On nutrition was at a high level with a percentage of 72.10 ( = 3.01, S.D. – 0.50); 2) On physical exercise was at a high level with a percentage of 49.60 ( = 2.83, S.D. – 0.74); 3) On stress management was at a high level with a percentage of 53.50 ( = 3.43, S.D. – 0.51); 4) On hygiene was at a high level with a percentage of 44.20 ( = 3.84, S.D. – 0.79); and 5) On cause of ruin was at a high level with a percentage of 81.40 ( = 3.75, S.D. – 0.34)