Journal of Allied Health Sciences Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Occupational factors relating to musculoskeletal diseases among elderly people in Pak Nam municipalty, Bang Khla district, Chachoengsao province

2024-11-06T16:30:39+07:00

The main cause of musculoskeletal diseases in the elderly is excessive physical exertion and improper posture during their working years. This study aimed to examine the association between occupational factors and chronic musculoskeletal diseases in the elderly. Fifty elderly individuals with musculoskeletal disorders were randomly selected as the sample group in Pak Nam Municipality,
Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao, Thailand. According to the findings, 74% of the sample group were female and 26% were male. The average age of the participants was 70.8 years, and the majority (50%) were former agriculturists. Musculoskeletal problems in the lower back and knees occurred consistently, four to six days per week. Historical occupational data showed that 54% of the participants had worked as agriculturists, typically working seven days a week for eight hours per day. Analysis of occupational characteristics during working age and current musculoskeletal symptoms revealed a correlation between knee discomfort and squatting posture at work (r = 0.400, p < 0.01). Additionally, primarily standing at work (r = 0.338, p < 0.05), placing weight on one side while standing (r = 0.528,
p < 0.01), and lifting heavy objects during work (r = 0.329, p < 0.05) were significantly associated with lower back pain. Although musculoskeletal disorders in the elderly may result from multiple factors, this study indicates that the nature of their past occupations is also related to the development of such disorders in later life.

Study of service model Thai traditional medicine recipe containing cannabis preparation in Thai traditional medical cannabis clinic

2025-03-25T09:37:54+07:00

This study employed a qualitative research design with the objective of exploring the current practices in providing individualized medicine preparation services using Thai traditional medicine formulations containing cannabis in Thai traditional medical cannabis clinics. Data were collected through document reviews, textbooks, academic articles, relevant research,service observations, and in-depth interviews with 16 personnel from both public and private clinics involved in Thai traditional medical cannabis services. Content analysis revealed that individualized medicinal preparations in public healthcare settings were influenced
by the policies of each institution's administrators and their readiness in terms of facilities, personnel, materials, and budget. In contrast, private healthcare services relied more on the experience of personnel with prior expertise in individualized preparations. Both sectors commonly faced similar challenges, particularly in the procurement and storage of herbal raw materials. Regarding the types of Thai traditional cannabis-based medicines, both oral and topical formulations were identified. Two main service models were observed:
1) individualized preparation, where herbal ingredients were customized per patient according to the physician’s prescription, and
2) centralized preparation of standard formulas categorized by symptom or disease, allowing physicians to adjust dosages based on individual patient diagnoses.

Reducing waiting times in outpatient pharmacy services at Nong Khai hospital

2025-03-25T11:05:50+07:00

Outpatient pharmacy services involve multiple steps to ensure accurate and safe medication dispensing, which can lead to prolonged patient waiting times. This issue has resulted in complaints regarding delays in medication delivery. The aim of this study was to improve outpatient pharmacy services. The study employed an action research design. Data were collected from the hospital's computer system and meeting reports. Descriptive statistics were used for general data, and the Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used to compare waiting times before and after the service improvements. The study results indicated that the development of the outpatient pharmacy system encompassed four key areas: (1) Staff management to ensure appropriate staffing levels relative to patient volume; (2) Workflow management, which included implementing an express queue system, rotating personnel at prescription entry and drug dispensing stations, reviewing and improving the drug coding system, and revising drug dosage calculation tables; (3) Materials and equipment management by maintaining an adequate and readily available stock of medications; and (4) Facility management through the addition of more drug dispensing counters. As a result, the average outpatient medication waiting time decreased significantly from 63.90 minutes (SD = 42.63) to 48.06 minutes (SD = 31.74), a reduction of 15.84 minutes (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients receiving medications in less than 20 minutes increased from 10.21% to 18.70% (p < 0.001), while the proportion waiting more than 60 minutes decreased from 42.30% to 29.40% (p < 0.001). In conclusion, effective management of personnel, workflow, materials, and facility conditions significantly reduced outpatient medication waiting times.

The effect of Azima sarmentosa leaves extract of soap production on antioxidant activity and chemical composition

2025-03-28T10:25:28+07:00

Soap is a product used for cleansing and removing dirt from the skin, helping to maintain personal hygiene. Nowadays, herbal ingredients are commonly added to soap formulations to provide specific health benefits. Azima sarmentosa is a medicinal plant that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity and chemical composition of soap formulated with A. sarmentosa leaf extract. The results showed that the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the three soap formulations (L1.0, L2.5, and L5.0) were superior to those of the control soap. Additionally, all three formulations exhibited favorable physical properties. The levels of active compounds and antioxidant activity increased in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that A. sarmentosa leaves have potential for use in health-related products such as soap, body wash, or other cleansing products.

Antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and bioactivity of Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng. extract

2025-03-28T10:23:18+07:00

This study aimed to evaluate the biological activities of aril extract from Momordica cochinchinensis, focusing on total phenolic content, inhibitory effects on tyrosinase and elastase enzymes, and cytotoxicity on human skin cells. The aril samples were carefully selected prior to extraction, which was then analyzed for total phenolic content. The results revealed that the extract exhibited antioxidant activity with a DPPH radical scavenging value of 1.51 ± 0.05 mg/mL compared to vitamin C as the standard. The total phenolic content was 13.18 ± 0.18 mg GAE/100 g DW. Cytotoxicity testing within the concentration range of 0.0001–1 mg/mL showed that the extract was non-toxic to human skin cells, with a cell viability of 95.35 ± 1.86% observed at the highest tested concentration (1 mg/mL). However, the extract exhibited no significant inhibitory effects on tyrosinase and elastase enzymes. These findings demonstrate the potential of M. cochinchinensis aril extract as a safe antioxidant agent for human skin, supporting its possible application as a bioactive ingredient in cosmetic or cosmeceutical products.

Literacy of violence and assault

2024-07-16T16:53:28+07:00

Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak, and listen for effective communication, including building confidence and self-esteem. This review aimed to examine literature
on the literacy of violence and assault because of its significance as a health determinant and its impact on individual well-being. Promoting violence and assault literacy is important to raise public or individual awareness and support victims. Preventing assault is part of promoting safety, which will help reduce violence that may occur to victims. It also includes appropriate responses, assessment of violent situations, knowledge, privacy boundaries, consent, risk factors for being attacked, and agencies that provide assistance. On the other hand, the experience of being a victim of violence can also affect a person's knowledge. Moreover, literacy is an outcome of health promotion that consists of improved health-related knowledge, attitudes, motivation, behavioral intention, personal skills, and self-efficacy. Although this review demonstrated the overall relationship between literacy and violence and assault, further fundamental study should be conducted in order to increase understanding of the complexity of these two determinants, especially by surveying the literacy of violence and assault among youth in Thailand, as this is the group with the highest reported incidence of violence and assault.