Health Science, Science and Technology Reviews

Occupational health risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders among staff at Nakhon Phanom Rajanagarindra Psychiatric Hospital, Nakhon Phanom Province

2025-06-09T14:20:48+07:00

Medical personnel in psychiatric hospitals are exposed to ergonomic risks that may directly affect their health and work efficiency. This study aimed to assess the level of ergonomic risks and factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders in the personnel of Nakhon Phanom Rajanagarindra Psychiatric Hospital. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample consisted of 85 patients selected by simple random sampling and divided into similar exposure groups. Ergonomic risks were assessed using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). The results of the study found that the majority of personnel were female (69.41%), with an average age of 41.81 ± 10.01 years, and had a BMI level of 2 obesity (22.35%). Their exercise behavior was inconsistent (71.76%). The RULA/ REBA ergonomic risk level was level 3 (75.00%). The most common muscular discomfort was reported on the shoulder (55.29%), upper back (49.41%), and lower back (44.71%). It was found that inconsistent exercise behavior was significantly associated with musculoskeletal disorders (OR = 9.33, 95% CI = 2.506-34.764, P-value < 0.001). Hospital personnel are exposed to ergonomic threats and the risk of musculoskeletal disorders resulting from work, which may vary depending on the type of work they perform. Therefore, the ergonomic risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders using a tool that assesses work posture is a guideline for obtaining basic information to plan improvements in working conditions and reduce work-related risks. These evaluations provide essential baseline data for formulating strategies to improve working conditions, mitigate occupational hazards, and promote the future health of workers.

Development of a participatory model involving community leaders and families in the care of psychiatric patients in Ban Thi District, Lamphun Province

2025-07-14T09:55:04+07:00

This study aimed to investigate and develop a model for the participation of community leaders and families in the care of community-dwelling psychiatric patients in Ban Thi District, Lamphun Province, between May and September 2024. The sample consisted of 216 individuals divided into three groups: the Ban Thi District Health Service Network, families of psychiatric patients, and psychiatric patients, with 72 participants in each group. Each group was further divided into an experimental group (n=36) that received the intervention according to the developed model for 8 weeks, and a control group (n=36) that received standard care according to the Ministry of Public Health guidelines. Data were analyzed using Paired sample t-tests and Independent t-tests.

The study results showed that the experimental groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements (p<0.05) in several aspects when comparing pre- and post-intervention scores. Specifically, the Health Service Network group showed improvements in depression screening, depression level assessment, suicide risk assessment, knowledge scores, attitude scores, and behavior scores. The families of psychiatric patients showed improvements in suicide risk assessment, knowledge scores, attitude scores, and behavior scores. The psychiatric patient group showed improvements in violent behavior, depression level assessment, and suicide risk assessment. When comparing the experimental and control groups after the intervention, the experimental groups in all three categories exhibited significantly better scores (p<0.05). The Health Service Network group showed higher scores in depression level assessment, suicide risk assessment, knowledge, attitude, and behavior. The families of psychiatric patients showed higher scores in depression screening, knowledge, attitude, and behavior. The psychiatric patient group showed higher scores in depression screening and depression level assessment. The findings of this study highlight the importance of integrating collaboration among public and private sector networks to establish working mechanisms and promote community participation in the care of psychiatric patients. This collaborative approach is expected to lead to reduced stigma and sustainable improvement in the quality of life for psychiatric patients.

Leftover medicine among patients with non-communicable diseases in the community of Phayao province: prevalence, quantity, value, and the associated factors

2025-08-25T10:14:19+07:00

Leftover medicines among patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are an important issue affecting Thailand’s public health system. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, quantity, value, and associated factors of leftover medicines among patients with NCDs in a community setting in Phayao Province. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted through home visits. Data was collected via structured interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression. Among 361 participants, 89.8% had at least one item of leftover medicine, with a median of two items per person. The total amount of leftover pills was 21,534, with an estimated value of 18,340.4 baht. Amlodipine 5 mg has the highest quantity and value of leftover medication. The leading causes of leftover medicines were forgetting to take medications (55.6%) and receiving medicine exceeding the appointment interval (52.5%). Factors significantly associated with having leftover medicines for more than eight weeks included having multiple chronic conditions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–2.13), use of herbal or dietary supplements within the past six months (aOR 2.33; 95%CI: 1.01–5.34), and incorrect medication use (aOR 9.87; 95%CI: 2.37–41.04). While most patients practiced appropriate medicine management, such as returning leftover medicine to healthcare facilities, some exhibited risky behaviors, including sharing medicines with others and improper disposal. The findings highlight that multiple comorbidities, herbal product use, and non-compliance are key contributors to leftover medicine among patients with NCDs. Developing a screening system for at-risk patients, promoting medication adherence, establishing appropriate prescribing practices, and educating the public on proper medicine management are essential strategies to reduce the burden of leftover medicine and its negative impact on healthcare systems, economic resources, and the environment.

Effects of a medication management system for inpatients with renal impairment at Rong Kwang Hospital, Phrae Province: A retrospective quasi-experimental study

2025-08-05T09:43:46+07:00

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed medication management system for hospitalized patients with renal impairment. The system comprised 1) a guideline and handbook for renal dose adjustment, 2) an alert system for monitoring and tracking medication use within the electronic medical record, 3) pharmacist review of medication orders to assess prescribing appropriateness, and 4) physician consultation when inappropriate prescribing was identified. Outcomes of patients managed using this system (intervention group, data collected from April to August 2024) were compared with those of patients treated before its implementation (historical control group, data collected from May to September 2023). The primary outcome was the appropriateness of medication prescribing, analyzed using logistic regression. The secondary outcome was the rate of appropriate dose adjustment, analyzed using Poisson regression. All analyses employed multivariable models adjusted for sex, age, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and type of renal impairment. Data were collected from 220 patients (110 per group). Most participants were male (56.4%), with a mean age of 71.70 ± 11.99 years, and 51.4% had chronic kidney disease. After implementation, prescribing appropriateness significantly improved (adjusted odds ratio = 11.33, 95% CI 5.81–22.13; p < 0.001). The proportion of inappropriate prescriptions decreased from 53.7% (116 of 216 prescriptions) to 14.3% (28 of 196 prescriptions; p < 0.001). The rate of appropriate dose adjustment also significantly increased (adjusted incidence rate ratio = 2.20, 95% CI 1.67–2.89; p < 0.001). Although this study could not fully establish a causal relationship and residual confounding related to participants’ comorbidities remained, the analysis indicated that the developed medication management system has the potential to improve prescribing appropriateness among patients with renal impairment. Future research should assess clinical outcomes, monitor the severity and consequences of inappropriate prescribing, and explore healthcare providers’ perspectives as system users. In addition, long-term monitoring of system sustainability is warranted, particularly regarding the maintenance of prescribing appropriateness over time.

Risk factors for Necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants at Nongkhai Hospital

2025-09-04T13:10:25+07:00

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a critical gastrointestinal emergency in neonates, particularly those born preterm, with incidence varying across populations. Prematurity and low birth weight are well established major risk factors, while additional contributors reported in previous studies include perinatal hypoxia, formula feeding, apnea, central venous catheterization, and polycythemia. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with NEC in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (birth weight < 1,500 g) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Nong Khai Hospital. A total of 167 VLBW infants were included, of whom 25 developed NEC. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis, with variables showing p<0.20 further evaluated via multivariate logistic regression; statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Univariate analysis identified seven potential risk factors: premature rupture of membranes, sepsis, ventilator- associated pneumonia, umbilical arterial catheterization, blood transfusion, mechanical ventilation, and patent ductus arteriosus. Multivariate analysis revealed that only blood transfusion was independently associated with NEC (adjusted OR 6.13, 95% CI: 1.23–30.47, p=0.01). These findings underscored the importance of careful evaluation of transfusion requirements in VLBW infants and vigilant monitoring for NEC following each transfusion or administration of blood components.

Assessing the efficiency of a mobile application in reading hematocrit compared to the manual method and automated blood cell analyzer

2025-08-01T10:37:10+07:00

The measurement of packed red cell volume, or hematocrit, remains a widely used method for screening anemia and monitoring treatment across various patient groups. The standard method for hematocrit measurement is the microhematocrit technique, which is simple, convenient, low-cost, and requires only a small blood sample. However, this method has limitations, particularly when the operator lacks proficiency in reading the hematocrit level especially in individuals with visual impairments. Moreover, in high-volume testing scenarios, manual reading and reporting errors may occur. Recognizing these challenges, the researchers developed a mobile phone application to assist in reading hematocrit values. The study evaluated the application's accuracy using blood samples adjusted to hematocrit levels in three ranges: 20–25%, 40–45%, and 60–65%. The coefficient of variation (%CV) for the application readings in these three ranges was found to be 0.9, 1.3, and 0.8, respectively. The accuracy values were -2.4%, -2.1%, and -2.2%, respectively. A total of 171 samples were tested and compared using the microhematocrit method, an automated hematology analyzer, and the mobile application (in both automatic and manual modes). The correlation coefficients for these comparisons were 0.990, 0.990, 0.974, 0.973, 0.992, and 0.981, indicating a high level of correlation. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) further confirmed high consistency, with values of 0.995, 0.995, 0.987, 0.986, 0.996, and 0.990 (P < 0.001). Additionally, the application was capable of measuring hematocrit in turbid samples and those with red cell hemolysis up to grade 4+. User satisfaction among those who tested the application was rated as good (mean score of 4.43 ± 0.64). In conclusion, this mobile application can serve as an effective alternative to standard microhematocrit methods and automated hematology analyzers, particularly in settings with limited laboratory equipment.

Formulation development and satisfaction assessment of herbal steam inhalation recipe: A pilot study

2025-10-09T15:24:30+07:00

Allergic rhinitis remains a chronic health problem. Despite the availability of effective treatments, there is a growing trend among patients to focus on easily accessible and safe herbal products. This pilot study aimed to develop and compare the formulation and physical characteristics of the herbal steam inhalation recipe in tablet and powder forms, and to evaluate the satisfaction among volunteers. Two herbal recipe formulations, each consisting of four sub-formulations with varying ratios of herbal powder and binder (Polyvinylpyrrolidone-K90: PVP-K90), were prepared. Stability was assessed through visual inspection, weight variation, and disintegration time. Among the tested formulations, herbal steam inhalation recipe 1 (formula 4: 75% (w/w) of herbal powder, 25% (w/w) of an 8% (w/w) PVP-K90 solution) and herbal steam inhalation recipe 2 (formula 2: 55% (w/w) of herbal powder, 45% (w/w) of an 8% (w/w) PVP-K90 solution) demonstrated optimal tablet formation, showing compact structures without cracks or moisture. Both formulations met pharmacopeial standards for disintegration time and tested positive for flavonoids and alkaloids. Satisfaction was evaluated in 30 volunteers using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test at a significance level of p-value < 0.05. Results indicated that herbal steam inhalation recipe 1 (formula 4) in tablet form was rated significantly higher than its powder counterpart in terms of usability and convenience. Similarly, herbal steam inhalation recipe 2 (formula 2) in tablet form achieved significantly higher scores for usability, convenience, and overall satisfaction compared with the powder form. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that tableted herbal steam inhalation recipe formulations provide superior physical stability and greater user acceptance than powdered preparations, supporting the potential for developing the formulation into tablet dosage forms that are of high quality, convenient for healthcare facility and daily use.

Traditional, Advanced and Green preparation methods of active pharmaceutical ingredient cocrystals: A review

2025-07-08T13:58:53+07:00

Pharmaceutical cocrystals are a type of solid-state modification for medicinal compounds, primarily used to improve solubility. Cocrystal engineering is an alternative technique for enhancing the solubility, dissolution, and bioavailability of drugs. Pharmaceutical cocrystals consist of multiple molecules bound together by non-covalent interaction such as hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and 𝜋-𝜋 stacking. Traditionally, cocrystals have been developed through solvent evaporation, grinding, or slurry techniques, each with its own environmental limitations. The current trend in cocrystal manufacture uses more advanced and environmentally friendly methods that utilize high technology. This review provides a brief overview of each procedure for generating cocrystals in pharmaceutical area based on sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental impact.

Role of probiotics and alteration of the gut microbiota in alzheimer’s disease

2025-10-09T09:30:52+07:00

Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent form of neurodegenerative disorder, primarily affecting the elderly population. This chronic condition is characterized by the progressive destruction of various components of the nervous system. The hallmark pathological features commonly observed in patients include the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques, the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, and chronic neuroinflammation within the brain. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of probiotic supplementation due to its potential health benefits. Probiotics have been shown to support intestinal barrier integrity, enhance immune function, and promote the diversity of gut microbiota. A balanced gut microbiota plays a critical role in maintaining central nervous system homeostasis and modulating neurotransmitter signaling, thereby contributing to improved prognosis in Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, the present article aims to elucidate the role of probiotics and gut microbiota in modulating neuroinflammation and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.