Health Science, Science and Technology Reviews

Ecological determinants affecting the occurrence of leptospirosis in Trang

2025-10-14T11:18:54+07:00

This study is an ecological study aimed to examine the ecological determinants influencing the occurrence of leptospirosis in Trang Province, Thailand. Secondary data on reported leptospirosis cases from 2017 to 2023 were obtained from disease surveillance reports of the Trang Provincial Public Health Office, 2017 to 2023. The ecological variables included average temperature, average rainfall, elevation, relative humidity, soil pH, and population density. The data were analyzed using binary logistic regression with the backward stepwise technique. The results showed that relative humidity (OR = 1.407, 95% CI: 1.135–1.744, p = 0.002) and average rainfall (OR = 1.029, 95% CI: 1.009–1.048, p = 0.003) were significantly associated with the occurrence of leptospirosis in Trang Province. In contrast, average temperature, elevation, soil pH, and population density were not significantly related to the occurrence of the disease. The findings indicate that certain ecological factors, particularly humidity and rainfall, play an important role in the distribution of leptospirosis in Trang Province. This information will be essential for supporting the planning of more effective disease surveillance, prevention, and control measures in the area.

Effect of Ya Pok Kha Krungkhamao in reducing knee pain among elderly patients with primary osteoarthritis

2025-10-09T15:25:31+07:00

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common disease among the elderly population, primarily due to the degeneration of the articular cartilage beneath the knee joint surface. As the knee is a large joint that bears the body's weight directly and undergoes extensive movement during walking, it is highly susceptible to degeneration.In Traditional Thai Medicine (TTM), there is an approach to manage and treat knee pain through the application of an established herbal poultice formula on the knee area. This method utilizes readily available medicinal herbs for care and treatment.Objective This study aimed to measure the effectiveness of the Krung Khemad herbal poultice formula by comparing the mean scores of knee pain levels before and after its application in elderly patients with KOA diagnosed by conventional medical doctors. Methods The study collected data from 30 elderly KOA patients at Ban Suk Kasem Health Promoting Hospital, Hai Yong Sub-district, Phang Khon District, Sakon Nakhon Province. The instruments used included a general information questionnaire, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain assessment, the Oxford Knee Score, and a goniometer to assess the range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint. The subjects applied the poultice once daily to the painful area for 15 minutes each time, every other day, for a total duration of 1 week. The results were analyzed using the Paired t-test with the SPSS Statistics Version 27 software.

Results The mean pain score (VAS) before and after the application of the Krung Khe Ma knee poultice was 3.37±1.15 points. The mean pain level after the intervention was significantly lower than before the intervention. Furthermore, the mean range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint increased significantly p<0.05. Specifically, the ROM for the left knee increased from 3.90 ± 2.49 points before the trial to 4.57± 3.24 points after the trial. For the right knee, the ROM increased from 2.97 ± 2.18 points before the trial to 5.60 ± 2.78 points after the trial. Conclusion The application of the Krung Khemad herbal poultice formula can alleviate pain and increase the range of motion of the degenerated knee joint in the elderly within a 1week period.

Effects of shading on the growth and nutrient concentrations in bulb of Proiphys amboinensis (L.) herb

2025-10-10T11:02:03+07:00

P. amboinensis is a bulbous ornamental plant valued for its white flowers, long scapes, and broad dark-green leaves, making it suitable for use as cut flowers and potted plants. However, domestic cultivation often results in stunted leaves and leaf scorch due to excessive sunlight, which limits photosynthesis and reduces bulb size. This study hypothesized that regulating light intensity through shading could enhance plant growth and nutrient accumulation in the bulbs. The experiment evaluated the effects of three shading levels—full sun (no shading), 50% shading, and 70% shading – using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The study was conducted from March to December 2024 at the Agricultural Technology Research Institute, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Lampang. Shading significantly improved vegetative growth. Both 50% and 70% shading increased petiole length, leaf length, and leaf width compared with full sun, with petiole length increasing by 1.52 and 1.35 times (p < 0.01), leaf length by 1.17 and 1.18 times (p < 0.05), and leaf width by 1.12 and 1.16 times (p < 0.05), respectively. The 70% shading treatment produced the most vigorous growth, showing significant increases in leaf greenness (1.37×), bulb fresh weight (2.76×), and bulb diameter (2.10×) relative to full sun. In contrast, bulbs grown under full sun accumulated significantly higher concentrations of phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium than those under 50% and 70% shading, exceeding the 70% shading treatment by 1.76×, 1.65×, and 1.41× (p < 0.01), respectively. Overall, the results indicate that 70% shading is the optimal level for promoting growth and bulb quality in P. amboinensis. Further studies should examine long-term shading effects on flowering performance to support efficient commercial production.

Development of an integrated model for enhancing digital-age psychological resilience among at-risk adolescents: A mixed-methods research study

2025-11-07T09:38:10+07:00

This study aimed to develop and test the effectiveness of an integrated model for enhancing digital-age psychological resilience among at-risk adolescents. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed across three phases. Phase 1 explored problems and needs through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 45 stakeholders, comprising 15 at-risk adolescents aged 13-18 years, 12 parents/guardians, 10 teachers and educational personnel, 5 public health workers, and 3 community leaders. Phase 2 developed an integrated model based on qualitative findings from Phase 1, which revealed five main risk factors and the need for multi-dimensional intervention, combined with literature review by integrating insights from interviews and focus group discussions regarding digital media use problems, needs for emotional management skills, and support system requirements, together with empirical evidence from literature on psychological resilience and technology use. Phase 3 tested effectiveness through a quasi-experimental trial with 80 at-risk adolescents who had at least 2 risk factors including broken families, low economic status, poor academic performance, risk behaviors, or bullying experiences. Using simple random sampling, participants were divided into an experimental group (n=40) and a control group (n=40). The experimental group received the SMART-Digital Program over 8 weeks, twice per week, 90 minutes per session, totaling 16 sessions. The control group received standard school and community care without any special intervention and would receive the full program after study completion to ensure fairness. During the study, 3 participants withdrew, resulting in 77 participants for final analysis (experimental group n=39, control group n=38).

A study of folk medical knowledge in postpartum care practiced by to Bidae in Chana District, Songkhla Province

2025-11-13T09:43:05+07:00

Postpartum care based on folk medical practices plays a significant role in promoting the health of women and infants in rural areas of Thailand, particularly in the southern region, where Muslim cultural traditions are especially prominent. This qualitative study aimed to investigate the background and postpartum care practices of to Bidae in Chana District, Songkhla Province. Five participants were purposively selected. Data collection was conducted through non-participatory observation and in-depth interviews. The data were analyzed by thematic categorization and descriptive methods. The results showed that to Bidae were elderly women aged over 60 years who acquired their knowledge through spiritual visions of their teacher-healers. Their postpartum care practices comprised manual techniques, herbal medicines, and counseling on self-care. The major manual techniques included (1) pressing, stroking, or pulling the chest muscles to stimulate breast milk flow, (2) abdominal “gung” pressing to assist uterine involution and (3) hot stone compression to facilitate the expulsion of lochia. A total of 13 herbal formulations were documented, utilizing 33 medicinal plants, with Kluai Nam (Musa sp.) being the most frequently used (appearing in 4 formulations). Several of the medicinal plants were reported for the first time in relation to postpartum care. This study systematically compiled and organized the body of knowledge on postpartum care practiced by To Bidae, comprehensively covering all stages of maternal health care, an area that has not previously been documented. The findings highlight the potential of certain traditional procedures and herbal formulations to be further developed into Thai Traditional Medicine service guidelines for postpartum women. In addition, this study establishes a foundational database that can support future clinical research and the development of health service systems.

Anxiolytic, antidepressant, and memory-enhancing effects of aqueous extract of Pluchea indica leaves in male mice

2025-12-15T14:42:10+07:00

Anxiety, depression, and memory impairment are among the most common neurological and psychological disorders affecting mental health worldwide. Although several pharmacological treatments are currently available to manage these conditions, the use of medicinal plants as alternative or complementary therapies has gained considerable attention. Various herbs have been scientifically reported to exert beneficial effects through the modulation of neurotransmitter levels in the brain and/or by exhibiting antioxidant properties that protect neurons from oxidative damage and degeneration. Since Pluchea indica leaves are traditionally consumed as a health-promoting tea and are rich in flavonoids known for their antioxidant and neuroprotective activities, the aqueous extract of Pluchea indica leaves (PIE) was investigated in this study for both its phytochemical composition and its biological activities related to brain function. Specifically, the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of PIE were determined, and its effects on anxiety, depression, and memory were evaluated in male mice using elevated plus maze (EPM), forced-swim test (FST) and Morris water maze test (MWT), respectively. The results showed that PIE contained a total phenolic content of 159.05 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per gram of the extract and a total flavonoid content of 48.49 mg quercetin equivalents (QE) per gram of the extract. Antioxidant analysis, assessed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, showed an IC₅₀ value of 34.50 µg/mL compared with 15.31 µg/mL for ascorbic acid. Oral administration of PIE, at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight/day, significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior, alleviated depressive-like symptoms, and enhanced memory performance. These findings suggest that Pluchea indica tea, commonly consumed as an herbal infusion, may have some benefits on brain health.

Total phenolic flavonoids contents and antioxidant of Lentinus polychrous Lev. a local cultivated mushroom in Nakhon Phanom Province

2026-03-09T15:14:52+07:00

Lentinus polychrous Lev. is an edible wild mushroom found in the northeastern region of Thailand, and surveys have reported its presence in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. L. polychrous has distinctive characteristics and a good taste, making it popular for culinary use. Fruiting bodies and mycelium of L. polychrous have been reported to possess bioactivities such as antioxidant, anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties. A group of mushroom growers in Nakhon Phanom province operates mushroom production in mushroom houses and sells their products in local markets, generating income throughout the year. In this study, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of local cultivated mushroom extracts, locally found in Nakhon Phanom province, were analyzed. Extractions were carried out using water at different temperatures (RT, 60 and 80 °C) and 75% ethanol, separately for the mushroom stalks and caps. The results showed that the extracts from both of stalks and the caps of the hardy mushroom contained significantly different contents of total phenolic and flavonoid contents per gram of dried mushroom (p < 0.05). The extracts obtained using water at different temperatures from both mushroom caps and stalks yielded higher amounts of crude extract compared to those obtained using ethanol. The crude extract yields ranged from 57.53 to 254.80 mg per gram of dry weight with total phenolic content ranging from 43.34 mg GAE/g crude to 145.29 mg GAE/g crude. L. polychrous extract obtained from the mushroom cap using water at room temperature yielded a significantly higher total phenolic content per gram of crude extract compared to the other extraction methods. The flavonoid content in the mushroom ranged from 58.37 mg QE/g crude extract to 379.08 mg QE/g crude extract. The extract obtained from the mushroom stalks using water at room temperature yielded a significantly higher flavonoid content per gram of crude extract compared to the other extraction methods. Antioxidant activity showed that the extracts of both stalk and cap extracted with ethanol and water at different temperatures had significantly higher IC₅₀ values than standard antioxidants (p < 0.05). The analysis of total phenolic flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity in L. polychrous extracts provides fundamental data valuable for enhancing the production process and improving the quality of local mushrooms in Nakhon Phanom province. Additionally, it serves as a foundation for further investigation into other bioactive properties to support the development of health-related products or functional foods from L. pochrous.

Effects of a feeding promotion program on feeding intolerance and weight change in preterm infants

2026-02-23T13:36:43+07:00

This quasi-experimental study aimed to compare the number of preterm infants with feeding intolerance between the intervention and control groups, and to compare the number of preterm infants with weight gain between the two groups. The sample included preterm infants aged 28-36⁺⁶ weeks at the time of the study, who were receiving care in the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in northern Thailand. Forty-six infants were selected using simple random sampling, with 23 infants in the intervention group and 23 in the control group. The intervention group received the feeding promotion program while the control group received standard nursing care. The research intervention utilized was the Program for Promoting Milk Intake to Address Feeding Intolerance, with preterm infant weight measured as a key outcome variable. The data collection instruments consisted of: 1) a Premature Infant Personal Data Record Form, and 2) a Feeding Intolerance Assessment Form, which had a content validity index (CVI) of 0.90 and an inter-rater reliability coefficient of 1. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Independent T-Test and chi-square tests.

The findings indicated that none of the infants in the experimental group developed feeding intolerance, whereas infants in the control group did experience feeding intolerance, suggesting that the incidence of feeding intolerance differed significantly between the experimental and control groups (p < .001). Moreover, the preterm infants in the experimental group showed a significantly greater increase in body weight than those in the control group (p < .05), with the experimental group demonstrating a mean change in weight of 11.87 (S.D. = 3.69), compared with 6.06 (S.D. = 12.47) in the control group. These findings indicate that the feeding promotion program effectively helped prevent feeding intolerance and promoted weight gain among preterm infants.

Factors predicting two-step test performance: Balance, gait speed, and fear of falling in community-dwelling older adults

2026-02-13T15:26:32+07:00

A walking cycle consists of two consecutive steps, which requires balance control and influences gait speed. The Two-Step Test is used to assess maximum stride, which may reflect balance ability, gait speed, and fear of falling. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between Two-Step Test and dynamic balance, gait speed, and fear of falling, as well as to identify factors predicting Two-Step Test in community-dwelling older adults. A total of 45 participants with an average aged 66.80 ± 6.52 years were assessed using the Two-Step Test, Timed Up and Go (TUG), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and the Fall Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Correlation analyses were conducted between Two-Step Test outcomes (length of two-step and two-step test score) and TUG, 10MWT, and FES-I scores. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of Two-Step Test using TUG, 10MWT, and FES-I as independent variables. The results showed that both length of two-step and two-step test score were significantly correlated at low to moderate levels with TUG (r_s = -0.441, p-value < 0.002), 10MWT (r_s = 0.399, p-value < 0.007), and FES-I scores (r_s = -0.363, p-value < 0.014). TUG was the only significant predictor of both length of two-step (Beta weight = -2.816) and two-step test score (Beta weight = -0.017). The regression models explained 23.60% (R² = 0.236, p-value < 0.001) and 21.00% (R² = 0.210, p-value < 0.001), respectively. In conclusion, the Two-Step Test can reflect dynamic balance ability in community-dwelling older adults.

Effects of the readiness for hospital discharge program on knowledge and practice among caregivers of infants with acyanotic congenital heart disease

2026-02-19T21:12:47+07:00

This quasi-experimental study aimed to examine the effects of a hospital discharge preparation program on the knowledge and practices of caregivers of infants with acyanotic congenital heart disease. The sample consisted of 42 caregivers of infants aged 0–1 year with acyanotic congenital heart disease who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care units and general pediatric wards of Maharaj Nakorn Chiang- Mai Hospital, Nakornping Hospital, and Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital. Participants were selected by simple random sampling, into an experimental group (n = 21) and a control group (n = 21). The experimental group received the hospital discharge preparation program, whereas the control group received routine nursing care. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact test, t-tests, the Mann–Whitney U test, and the Friedman test.

The research findings revealed that after receiving the program, the experimental group’s mean scores for knowledge and practice were significantly higher than their pre-test levels. Knowledge scores increased from 5.54 (SD = 1.414) to 24.13 (SD = 1.191), while practice scores rose from 49.50 (SD = 3.799) to 96.83 (SD = 3.116) (p < .001). Compared to the control group, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher mean scores for both knowledge and practice immediately after receiving the program and at the 4-week follow-up (p < .001). These results suggest that the discharge preparation program is effective in enhancing the knowledge and caregiving practices of caregivers for infants with acyanotic congenital heart disease. Consequently, this program should be integrated into discharge planning to ensure infants are healthy, reduce complications, and be ready for surgery and readiness for surgery according to the doctor’s treatment plan.