Health Science, Science and Technology Reviews

Ethnobotany and erosion of food plant knowledge in culinary traditions of Thai Song DamEthnobotany and erosion of food plants knowledge in culinary traditions of Thai Song Dam

Varangrat Nguanchoo — 2025-04-29

Food consumption patterns have increasingly aligned with urbanized dietary trends, replacing local vegetables with commercially driven crops and contributing to the progressive erosion of traditional food practices. Thai Song Dam is an ethnic group that places importance on food. This research aims to document the food plants used in the traditional cuisine of the Thai Song Dam community in Khao Yoi district, Phetchaburi province. Data were collected through participatory observation with Thai Song Dam food experts. The study identified nine significant dishes of the Thai Song Dam and a total of 16 plant species. Zanthoxylum rhetsa is an important plant ground into curry paste to provide a unique aroma and a spicy and numbing flavor. Most Thai Song Dam villagers have knowledge of nearly all food plant species; however, some people have never consumed some plant species such as the pseudostem of Musa balbisiana and Wolffia globosa. A study investigating the factors associated with the erosion of food plant knowledge within the community employed structured interviews with 30 Thai Song Dam villagers. The findings indicated that socioeconomic factors did not significantly influence the number of plant species recognized by the villagers. In contrast, factors such as age, level of education, and culinary skills were correlated with the number of plant species actually consumed. Understanding these factors related to knowledge erosion is essential to inform targeted conservation strategies within the community, thereby supporting local food security and preserving plant biodiversity.

The developing exercise dance patterns that affect body fat mass for staff and students with overnutrition at Thailand National Sports University, Yala Campus

Siriporn Mayakul — 2025-04-29

The aim of this research is to develop an exercise dance pattern that reduces body fat mass for staff and students with nutritional excess at the Yala Campus of the National Sports University. The study also compares the outcomes before and after implementing the dance pattern and evaluates the participants' satisfaction with them. Thirty participants were students from the Faculty of Sports Science and Health and staff from the National Sports University, Yala Campus, who had overnutrition condition with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 23.0 kg/m². and aged between 18–59 years, regardless of gender. The research tools included the exercise dance pattern comprising 15 movements, the dietary behavior questionnaire, and the satisfaction survey on the exercise dance, which experts validated for reliability and validity. These tools are suitable for use in exercise programs designed for individuals with overweight conditions. Participants practiced the exercise dance pattern for 8 weeks, three times a week, 40 minutes per session. A single-group pretest-posttest design was applied, with paired t-tests used for statistical analysis at a significance level of p .05. The results showed significant reductions in weight, BMI, body fat mass, fat percentage, and visceral fat among the participants after the 8-week intervention compared to baseline measurements, with statistical significance at the .05 level. Additionally, muscle mass significantly increased (p < .05). The overall satisfaction with the exercise dance pattern was rated at the highest level, with an average score of 4.61. Participants expressed high satisfaction with the exercise dance's alignment with music rhythm, its enjoyable nature, and its applicability for exercise among individuals with overweight.

Factors related to the decision to receive dental services of pregnant women at Thanyaburi Hospital, Prathum Thani Province

Waraporn Pangjun — 2025-04-29

The objective of this study, “Factors Related to the Decision to Receive Dental Services of Pregnant Women at Thanyaburi Hospital, Prathum Thani Province,” is to examine the factors associated with the decision to seek dental care among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Thanyaburi Hospital, Pathum Thani Province. It is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted with a sample of 269 pregnant women aged 18 years and older, calculated using a logistic regression analysis formula. The research tool is a questionnaire developed from a literature review, consisting of four parts: 1) personal factors, 2) health factors, 3) service factors, and 4) decision to seek dental care. Data was analyzed using multiple logistic regression to present odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI), with statistical significance set at 0.05.

The study results revealed three factors significantly associated with pregnant women's decisions to seek dental services: 1) age: pregnant women aged 30 years and older were 2.546 times more likely to seek dental services than those under 30 (Adjusted OR = 2.546, 95% CI = 1.355 - 4.782, p = 0.004), 2) beliefs/attitudes about oral health: those with high-level beliefs and attitudes about oral health were 3.358 times more likely to seek dental services compared to those with low-level beliefs (Adjusted OR = 3.358, 95% CI = 1.715 - 6.574, p < 0.001), and 3) anxiety about dental treatment: pregnant women with low-level anxiety about dental treatment were 8.463 times more likely to seek dental services than those with high-level anxiety (Adjusted OR = 8.463, 95% CI = 2.141 - 33.455, p = 0.002).

Vernix in external ear canal: The manageable factor affecting newborn hearing screening results prior to hospital discharge

Kunkanya Chansomboon — 2025-04-29

Vernix obstruction in external ear canal leads to ineffective signal transmission between the equipment and inner ear during newborn hearing screening and contributes to a factor that cause false-positive result.

The retrospective chart review was conducted to compare referral rate in Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing between newborns prior vernix clearance and the same population after vernix clearance only in case of “Refer” result of low risk newborns aged 0-3 days old during hospital admission. 810 Newborns were recruited. Referral rate for initial OAE was 40.25% (326/810). This “Refer” group was sent to otolaryngologist for ear examination and vernix clearance if vernix obstruction was diagnosed. Referral rate after the clearance was 1.85% (15/810). 12 from 15 Newborns with “Refer” result proceeded the third test as OPD case. Referral rate of the third test is 0.12% (1/810). Referral rate of the newborns without cleaning of vernix (initial OAE) were decreased after vernix clearance significantly (P value <.00001) with odd ratio of 35.7. To conclude, vernix obstruction is important factor that cause false-positive result in OAE testing especially in early days of birth. Vernix clearance decreases referral rate significantly. Setting up the hearing screening program prior discharge that include vernix clearance in case of “Refer” result shows its effectiveness and could be considered to implement according to healthcare facilities’ circumstance.

Lung cancer screening in the population aged 55-75 years using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan in Chiang Kham Hospital Phayao, Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Observational Pilot Study

Kritsada Thanawutthikul — 2025-04-30

This research was to survey the prevalence of lung cancer by screening with low-dose computerized tomography (LDCT) in high-risk populations and to study the factors associated with lung cancer. A cross-sectional observational pilot study was conducted in a sample of 100 Thai people who aged between 55 and 75 years-old in Chiang Kham District, Phayao Province, during August 3rd, 2024 - December 31th, 2024.
The instruments included a patient data record form and important risk factors, a digital chest X-ray (CXR AI) and a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) result record form. We analyzed the relationship between high-risk LDCT results and other associated factors using multiple logistic regression, with statistical significance at p-value < 0.05. In the total of 100 samples, with an average age of 64 years–old, abnormal CXR AI readings were 72%. In the abnormal readings, 18% of them were lung nodules. In those lung nodule results, there was 14% of High Risk LDCT in Lung-RADS category 3 or higher. On the LDCT screening of the samples, the solid nodule was 75% of abnormal results. Most of the solid nodules were smaller than 8mm which were 36%.
A Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed the statistically significant related factor with high risk LDCT, specifically the volatile substances (OR 9.59, 95%CI 1.33-70.16, p = 0.02), alcoholic drinker (OR 7.73, 95% CI 0.86-69.63, p= 0.06) and old age (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.99-1.35, p= 0.005). The use of CXR AI for initial screening increased the chance of detecting abnormal LDCT examination with Sensitivity Specificity 100% was 32.56%, NPV was 100%, and PPV was 19.44% respectively.

Effectiveness of a comprehensive rehabilitation service model on clinical outcomes in subacute stroke patients

Seubtrakul Tantalanukul — 2025-04-29

This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive rehabilitation service model for subacute stroke patients, covering inpatient, outpatient, and home-based care, led by a physiatrist. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Uttaradit Hospital, Thailand, from January to December 2022. Seventy participants were randomized into intervention (n=35) and control (n=35) groups. The intervention group received the developed rehabilitation model, while the control group received standard care. Outcomes were assessed at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Results showed that the intervention group had significantly better improvements in Barthel Index score (43.7±18.9 vs 25.9±17.6, p<0.001), Modified Rankin Scale score (-1.6±1.0 vs -1.0±0.9, p=0.012), and Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale score (72.9±30.5 vs 41.5±28.6, p<0.001) at 24 weeks compared to the control group. Additionally, the intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in depression (-5.7±3.5 vs -3.0±3.1, p=0.001) and walking ability (0.43±0.22 vs 0.21±0.18 m/s, p<0.001). In conclusion, the developed rehabilitation service model was effective in improving activities of daily living, reducing disability levels, and enhancing quality of life of subacute stroke patients. The distinctive features of this model include continuity of rehabilitation services and the integration of telerehabilitation for home-based care, which is particularly suitable for rural areas with limited resources.