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This paper investigates the potential of the Gamified Metaverse as a platform for promoting library services. The study compares the effectiveness of a traditional library program with a Metaverse- based library program in terms of knowledge acquisition and library anxiety. The research also examines students' perceptions of implementing gamification within the context of the Gamified Metaverse platform. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, including pre- and post-test analysis, statistical analysis, and qualitative data collection. The results indicate that both the traditional and Metaverse-based library programs effectively increased the participants' knowledge, with no significant difference between the two approaches. However, the Metaverse-based program was found to be less effective in facilitating interaction with librarians and reducing library anxiety. Additionally, students expressed positive perceptions of implementing gamification in the Gamified Metaverse platform, finding it engaging and motivating. These findings contribute to the understanding of the effect of the Metaverse as a tool for promoting library services and enhancing knowledge acquisition. However, it is not as effective in reducing library anxiety, particularly in terms of interaction with librarians and staff. It should be noted that the platform may have limitations such as high costs and potential side effects of virtual reality, making it more suitable as an additional tool for promoting library services, taking into account its feasibility and potential benefits for specific student populations and larger libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Customers from different cultures might have different expectations and perceptions of quality, leading to different levels of satisfaction. Together with the construct and measurement equivalence issues of cross-cultural surveys, this raises the question of the comparability of customer satisfaction measurements across countries. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the survey method of anchoring vignettes as a tool for improving the comparability of customer satisfaction measurements across countries and to shed some light on cultural influences on customer satisfaction measurements. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the models of American Customer Satisfaction Index and European Performance Satisfaction Index, the authors designed and conducted a survey using the method of anchoring vignettes to measure and compare customer satisfaction with mobile phone services in four countries – Costa Rica, Poland, Sweden and Thailand. The survey was carried out with young adults aged 20–30 years, who were mostly university students. Findings: This study demonstrates how anchoring vignettes can be used to mitigate cultural bias in customer satisfaction surveys and to improve both construct and measurement equivalence of the questionnaire. The results show that different conclusions on cross-cultural benchmarking of customer satisfaction would be drawn when using a traditional survey compared to the anchoring vignettes method. Originality/value: This paper evaluates the survey method of anchoring vignettes as a potential quantitative research method for studying customer satisfaction across countries. The results also contribute to customer satisfaction research as these shed some light onto how culture influences customer satisfaction measurements. The practical implication for firms and managers is that allocating resources among different countries based on traditional customer satisfaction surveys may be misleading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attempts to import existing measures developed in other countries when constructing research instruments for use with older people can result in several problems including inappropriate wording, unsuitable response sets, and insufficient attention to cultural nuances. This paper addresses such problems by discussing a mixed-methods approach (i.e. both qualitative and quantitative) to measurement development that incorporates input from the older adults for whom the measure is intended. To test this approach, a step-by-step process to the development of a culturally-grounded measure for older Thai people is described. Using focus groups and in-depth interviews, the process begins with an identification of the culturally-meaningful domains of the construct under study. Next, input is gathered from other studies; a preliminary quantitative measure is developed; and the measure is reviewed by a panel of experts. Based on further pre-testing and cognitive interviews with older people, the measure is again modified. Subsequently, the measure is incorporated into a large-scale survey and tested for its psychometric qualities. In addition to providing a template for culturally-sensitive measurement development in gerontology, this paper also highlights issues (e.g. time constraints and trade-offs between cultural specificity as against cultural comparability) that researchers should consider when attempting to develop measures. Suggestions for how to address such issues are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Adolescent suicide is a major public health concern in many countries, including Thailand, and the importance of suicide prevention programs at secondary school level has been recognized. This is the second paper of a large action research study focused on the development, implementation and evaluation of the Thai Suicide Prevention Program for Secondary School Students, undertaken in collaboration with stakeholders of adolescent peer leaders, students, parents, school teachers and administrators. This involved seven steps: 1) establishing mutual commitment and engaging a core working group; 2) conducting a situational analysis; 3) analyzing problems and needs; 4) designing; 5) implementing; 6) evaluating; and 7) critiquing feasibility. Qualitative data were collected from focus group discussions and in-depth interviews and analyzed using content analysis. Quantitative data was collected using suicide knowledge and attitude questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, and a t-test was used to compare scores pre-and post-training. The Program outcomes indicated significant positive change in the scores of the three stakeholder groups in suicide knowledge and attitude compared with the baseline scores. Stakeholder reflections noted that adolescent peer leaders developed leadership skills and parents and teachers learnt how to identify at-risk children. The process described illustrates how nurses can work with communities to improve health and build knowledge regarding suicide and prevention programs for adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garcinia dulcis (GD) extract possesses anti-hypertensive property that are poorly characterized. This study aimed to investigate an anti-inflammatory effect of GD flower extract in the 2-kidney-1-clip (2K1C) hypertensive compared to sham operative (SO) rat. Male Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups; the 2K1C group in which a silver clip was placed around renal artery to induce hypertension, and the SO normotensive group. Four weeks later, each group of rats were further divided into 2 subgroups, each subgroup was orally gavaged of either corn oil (vehicle) or 50 mg/kg BW GD extract daily for 4 weeks. The malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum, liver, and kidney were determined. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was carried out for histological examination, Periodic acid – Schiff staining for glomerular injury, Masson's trichrome staining for renal fibrosis, and immunohistochemistry for either tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) investigation. Taken together, our results demonstrated that GD flower extract decreased the MDA level in both serum and liver and kidney tissue and suppressed the expression of TNF-α in both liver and kidney of 2K1C hypertensive rats. Mesangial cell proliferation, expansion of mesangial matrix, widening Bowman's capsule space, congestion of glomerular capillary and vessel, cloudy swelling of renal tubular epithelial cell, and renal fibrosis were observed in the kidneys of 2K1C rats. Therefore, we concluded that GD flower extract can alleviate liver and kidney inflammation in which partially attenuates the glomerular injury in the 2K1C rat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This study aimed to compare the findings of the quality of nursing doctoral education survey across seven countries and discuss the strategic directions for improving quality. Background No comparative evaluation of global quality of nursing doctoral education has been reported to date despite the rapid increase in the number of nursing doctoral programmes. Design A descriptive, cross-country, comparative design was employed. Methods Data were collected from 2007-2010 from nursing schools in seven countries: Australia, Japan, Korea, South Africa, Thailand, UK and USA. An online questionnaire was used to evaluate quality of nursing doctoral education except for Japan, where a paper version was used. Korea and South Africa used e-mails quality of nursing doctoral education was evaluated using four domains: Programme, Faculty (referring to academic staff), Resource and Evaluation. Descriptive statistics, correlational and ordinal logistic regression were employed. Results A total of 105 deans/schools, 414 faculty and 1149 students/graduates participated. The perceptions of faculty and students/graduates about the quality of nursing doctoral education across the seven countries were mostly favourable on all four domains. The faculty domain score had the largest estimated coefficient for relative importance. As the overall quality level of doctoral education rose from fair to good, the resource domain showed an increased effect. Conclusions Both faculty and students/graduates groups rated the overall quality of nursing doctoral education favourably. The faculty domain had the greatest importance for quality, followed by the programme domain. However, the importance of the resource domain gained significance as the overall quality of nursing doctoral education increased, indicating the needs for more attention to resources if the quality of nursing doctoral education is to improve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Recruitment and retention of health workers is a major concern. Policy initiatives emphasize financial incentives, despite mixed evidence of their effectiveness. Qualitative studies suggest that nurses especially may be more driven by altruistic motivations, but quantitative research has overlooked such values. This paper adds to the literature through characterizing the nature and determinants of nurses’ altruism, based on a cross-country quantitative study. Methods An experimental ‘dictator game’ was undertaken with 1064 final year nursing students in Kenya, South Africa and Thailand between April 2007 and July 2008. This presents participants with a real financial endowment to split between themselves and another student, a patient or a poor person. Giving a greater share of this financial endowment to the other person is interpreted as reflecting greater altruism. Results Nursing students gave over 30% of their initial endowment to others (compared with 10% in similar experiments undertaken in other samples). Respondents in all three countries showed greater generosity to patients and the poor than to fellow students. Conclusions Consideration needs to be given to how to appeal to altruistic values as an alternative strategy to encourage nurses to enter the profession and remain, such as designing recruitment strategies to increase recruitment of altruistic individuals who are more likely to remain in the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This research aims to articulate the most salient factors that set apart successful small and micro community enterprises in the province of Phetchaburi, Thailand. The authors utilize both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. Approximately one hundred questionnaires were sent to leaders of the community enterprises. Simple statistical analysis was used to investigate the differences in motivation and business practices of successful and unsuccessful ventures. In addition, first hand observations and unstructured interviews were conducted to complement the empirical analysis, and enrich the findings. Five factors emerged as the most important determinants of success: members' drive for business ownership; systematic division of work; regular accounting records; intelligent marketing plans; and achieving some kind of quality certification. In addition to identifying salient factors associated with success in Thai community enterprises, this paper also offers numerous vignettes that illustrate the relevance of management theories and concepts in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop didactic games that enhance the mathematical skills of young children. The participants were 22 students aged 5-6 years, who were enrolled in a kindergarten class at Rajamangala Demonstration Kindergarten School in Thailand. This research used quantitative research method. The quasi-experiment was conducted over an 8-week period, 3 days per week, with each session lasting for 40 minutes. The research utilized various instruments, such as an experience activity plan, educational media, an early childhood mathematics skills observation form, and a satisfaction assessment form. Mean, standard deviation, and One-way ANOVA were used for data analysis. The findings indicated a significant improvement in the mathematical skills of the young children at a level of .01 significance, and the satisfaction of the teachers and educational personnel was high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation examines cultural conservation of buffalo-kites through participatory management of tourism initiatives in Southern Thailand. A mixed methods approach was adopted, combining elements of qualitative and quantitative research. The data was collected using observation, a questionnaire, and interviews with purposively selected research respondents. Data was gathered from local residents of Satun Province, academics, kite-making experts, kite festival organizers, local government representatives, and tourists. The results revealed that there is a well-established mechanism of cultural conservation during the tourist high season. The kite-making culture is preserved through cultural shows and competitions. However, aside from these very seasonal initiatives, there is no systematic conservation. The investigation recommends a cooperative model of conservation that will enable year-round conservation of the rich kite-making culture of Southern Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses Chinese tourist arrivals in Thailand during the last 25 years using various quantitative techniques. The number of Chinese tourists in Thailand has been increasing for two decades but since 2009 the trend has been particularly dramatic, with a 56.84% annual growth rate. The study found an increase of seasonality, but arrivals showed the same yearly pattern. Income elasticity indicates that Thailand will continue to benefit from China’s economic growth. In addition, Chinese tourists respond less to a change in Thailand’s prices than to changes in competitors’ prices. In 2017, Chinese arrivals are forecast to reach 7.9 million with an annual growth rate of 19.98% since 2013. Therefore, Thailand should focus on capacity preparation for this market growth while monitoring the policies of its major competitors in the China outbound market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines factors affecting students' desire to learn the English language using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). This is to explain and predict students' desire to learn. For this purpose, a questionnaire survey was conducted at two public universities in Malaysia and one in Thailand. The questionnaires were developed based on Gardner's (2004) Attitude/Motivation Test Battery. Only four subscales of the instrument were chosen for this study. These were: desire to learn, instrumental motivation, foreign language anxiety and attitude towards foreign language. It was found that although Attitude toward Foreign Language, Foreign Language Anxiety and Instrumental Motivation have small predictive relevance on Desire to Learn the English language, they are crucial in explaining the students' desire to learn the language. The study indicates that the model is sufficiently reliable and consistent. When the groups were compared, the relationship between Instrumental Motivation and Desire to Learn was higher between International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) students but the difference is not significant where IIUM and Naresuan University (NU) students were concerned. This study serves to model a quantitative empirical research method to explain and predict factors affecting desire to learn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of durian agrotourism has a significant impact on the well-being of rural communities or farmers. From old to new agrotourism in Ban Nai Wong Tai District, management innovation research to boost durian growth was investigated. A quantitative approach was used by purposively selecting 210 participants using a non-probability sampling (convenience sampling) technique. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that the farm owners in charge of the agrotourism durian operations went through various stages of management innovation to add value to the community-based agrotourism. The control and management, community, organisation, and management, coordination and cooperation with stakeholders, and power distribution, control, and ownership with which farmers participate in counseling effect the farmers' decision to manage innovation in the development of durian agrotourism. The findings of this study suggest that policymakers in emerging economies should promote management innovation aspects to increase the value added of creative and experimental community-based agrotourism in emerging economies, particularly Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The free flow of labor which will result from the creation of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) has led to the consideration of how to manage people in the ASEAN countries. This paper focuses on talent management in the industrial companies in the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate, Rayong Province, Thailand. It is aimed at investigating talent management and preparations for the forthcoming AEC. It also examines whether this talent management and these preparations differ in accordance with the company's characteristics. Quantitative research methodology was employed in this study. One hundred and twenty questionnaires were distributed and 98 were returned. The findings revealed that the companies in the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate in Rayong Province utilized talent management at a moderate level. Industrial type and company size did not show statistical significance regarding talent management. It was also found that there was no significant effect of company size on the talent management. Only one statistical implication was found-that company size was significant in terms of preparations for the AEC. Respondents from companies of different sizes exhibited different preparations for the AEC regarding their understanding the impact of the AEC and confidence in their talent management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radon is the leading source of lung cancer mortality after smoking in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Finding a source of carcinogens is one of the important measures for preventing the cancer risk for this region. Specific sites at Pa Miang, Doi Saket have the highest incidences of lung cancer and have a combination of factors that influence indoor radon concentration. Our study identified the sources of indoor radon within several houses. The results indicate that geological and topographic characteristics, including active faults and mountain terraces, are the main sources of indoor radon, especially for wooden houses. Besides building materials, the design of the houses, ventilation conditions, and lifestyle choices are all factors influencing indoor radon concentrations and its associated risk. Although radon levels (29–101 Bq m−3) and total indoor annual effective doses (0.9–3.8 mSv year−1) received from all sources at these sites have shown no significant health risk due to radon exposure , this investigation will be useful as a starting point to guide strategies to respond and prevent the risk of lung cancer, especially in Chiang Mai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates factors affecting the transformational leadership of small and medium medical device enterprises in Thailand, using quantitative research methods by collecting questionnaire data from 283 employees, Stratified sampling was used to identify subgroups of the population, then a simple random assignment was used without replacement. Descriptive statistical analysis, including frequency, percentage, means and standard deviations, was used to clarify personal factors such as type of personnel, gender, age, educational level, the period of business operation, and the number of employees, multiple regression was used for test for demographic characteristics and transformational leadership. The research found entrepreneurs that most of 65.5% were male; 83% were 41-50 years. For levels of education, 45.5% had master's degrees. For period business operation, 6-10 years comprised 47.2% of the sample. 57.4% worked in companies with 51-100 employees. For category of medical equipment business, medical materials were 39%. Age, educational level, and the period of business operation could explain the variation on transformational leadership; at 49% percent significance at the 0.05 level, these had the strongest relation with transformational leadership. This research was limited by the fact that not all the questionnaires could be returned. For future research we suggest that new variables may be added to reflect modern conditions such as digital leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data of hair density and hair diameter in the Asian population, especially in Thais, are limited. We aimed to evaluate hair density and hair diameter of members of the Thai population at different scalp sites and to determine the effect of sex and aging as well as to compare the results with those in groups of other ethnicities. Healthy Thais whose hair examination findings were normal were evaluated. Two hundred and thirty-nine subjects participated in this study, of whom 79 were male and 160 were female. Hair density and hair diameter were analyzed at four different scalp sites using quantitative trichoscopic analysis. The highest hair density in Thais was observed in the vertex area. Hair densities at four different scalp sites were significantly different from one another; only hair density at the vertex site showed no significant difference from that in the occipital area. In contrast, hair diameter did not show any statistically significant differences for the different sites. We observed decreased mean hair density with increasing age and found statistically significant differences between participants in their 20s and those in their 60s, while hair diameter remained consistent. Comparing our results with a previous study in other ethnicities, the hair densities in Asians are generally lower. In conclusion, hair density in the Thai population varies at different scalp sites. Aging is a factor in declining hair density. Asians have a lower hair density compared to Caucasian and African populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nurses are a cornerstone in providing care for people at primary care units, so the evaluation of the nurses' work performance is important to improve service quality. Nurses' performance has been assessed in many counties, including the United States of America, Canada, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and South Korea. Currently, there is a scarcity of tools for assessing all aspects of the work performance of nurses in Thai primary care units, so we undertook this study to develop and test the work performance scale of nurses. The study design was instrument development and psychometric testing. Qualitative methods using focus group discussions and expert reviews were applied for the items' construction. Quantitatively we examined the psychometric properties of this scale with 662 nurses working at primary care units in Thailand. Only the quantitative data and results are presented here. Exploratory factor analysis revealed 71 items comprising ten factors: Basic treatment for common health problems and continuing care, School health care, Self-development, Research and innovation, Women and child care, Health resource management, Planning and budget management, Standard of care and assurance, Health data management, Disease prevention and environmental health care, and Disaster management. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the total 71 items and for each domain are in acceptable ranges. The Work Performance Scale for Nurses at Primary Care Units achieved good validity and reliability scores and can be used to evaluate the work performance of nurse to improve their practices. However, it requires further confirmatory testing with nurses in Thailand at a range of primary care units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition literacy is a major component contributing to healthy food consumption behaviors and prevention of diet-related non-communicable diseases; however, existing nutrition literacy assessment tools are limited in their ability to assess Thai adolescents. We report in part the findings of a larger study that used qualitative and quantitative methods to develop and test the psychometric properties of Thai-Nutritional Literacy Assessment Tool for Adolescents. A descriptive design consisting of two phases and six steps was used. A literature review and in-depth interviews (n=30) were employed to clarify the concept of nutrition literacy in Thai adolescents and generate the items, and in-depth findings regarding these will be reported elsewhere. Content validity was reviewed by a panel of seven experts, whereas face validity was conducted in 10 Thai adolescents. Then, preliminary testing was undertaken with 275 Thai adolescents, and item analysis performed. The final version of this instrument consisted of 61 items. Psychometric testing used concurrent validity to examine the association with the Thai Healthy Eating index as a gold standard. Analysis of the discrimination index revealed that baseline criteria were met. Construct validity using the known-group technique was employed, revealing that nutrition literacy score on energy balance was higher in the healthy group than the unhealthy group. This is the first instrument aiming to measure nutrition literacy among Thai adolescents, that focuses on understanding the functional, interactive and critical nutrition literacy in various situations. Our instrument has sufficient reliability and validity, and nurses and other health professionals can apply it for nutrition literacy screening and determine suitable interventions for Thai adolescents. Further testing of the instrument warranted with other populations in Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 20-year Thailand Digital Economy and Society Development Plan driven through Thailand 4.0 is the country's priority and a key driver to promote cashless society. It's crucial for Thailand to ensure that acceptance and adoption of digital payment systems are on track and understand where to do better after implementing the e-Payment initiative. This study aims to explore factors influencing adoption and actual usage (AU) of digital payment systems in the early era of Thailand 4.0, validate a new integrated model between the unified theory of acceptance of use of technology 2 (UTAUT2) and the innovation resistance theory (IRT) under the context of users, and investigate the mean differences of AU among different income levels. This research was conducted a quantitative analysis through a survey method in form of online questionnaire. 780 consumers who have ever used any modes of the digital payment systems from all region across Thailand were selected as target respondents for this study. The results indicate that behavioral intention (BI) to use and innovation resistance (IR) affect the usage of digital payment systems. Both BI and IR could well explain AU. There were mean differences arising from the differences of income levels toward AU. In addition, insights deriving from some defined factors were interestingly found out from this study which would benefit to concerned stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the significant growth of artificially built attractions in Thailand, the objective of this research is to study architectural design and perceived value toward revisit intention in artificially built attractions. The designs of these attractions are derived from foreign countries that would not be suitable for the Thai environment. Nevertheless, this could be considered through the perspective of marketing growth, which depicts artificially built attractions receiving good response from visitors. Therefore, it was essential to analyze customers' attitude toward their travel and revisit intention to artificially built attractions. The research uses the quantitative method with 342 participants who visited the artificially built attractions. The result indicates that emotional, functional, and social values influence the revisit intention. Furthermore, the architectural design had a positive influence on emotional and social values. Though architectural design had no direct influence on revisit intention, it had indirect influence via emotional and social values. By analyzing the independent and dependent variables, it was indicated that, although all independent variables affect dependent variables, the scores of each of these factors were not high. Therefore, it can be concluded that artificially built attractions still have space for improvement in terms of perceived value in order to foster revisit intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Clerodendrum petasites (Lour.) S. Moore (locally known as Mai-Thao-Yaai-Mom), belonging to the Verbenaceae family, is widely formulated into multi-herb remedy, Ben-Cha-Lo-Ka-Wi-Chian remedy, possessing antipyretic activity. C. petasites exhibits many biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, etc. The flavonoid hispidulin is one of the main active compounds present in C. petasites, containing anti-atheromatous, antitumor and antispasmodic effects. Objective: The present study aimed to determine the hispidulin content in the dried roots of C. petasites using HPLC technique. Methods: C. petasites dried roots, collected from twelve different areas, were extracted with ethanol using Soxhlet apparatus, and then subjected to HPLC-PDA to quantify hispidulin content. The quantitative method using HPLC-PDA technique was validated. Results: The optimized HPLC coupling with PDA detector (HPLC-PDA) was validated for the quantitative analysis of hispidulin content in C. petasites roots in terms of linearity (y = 210,200,536.6667x - 448,756.2667; R2 = 0.9997), accuracy (88.82-107.69% recovery), precision (0.66% RSD for repeatability precision; 1.17% RSD for intermediate precision), limit of detection (2.30 µg/mL), limit of quantitation (7.00 µg/mL), specificity (peak purity index = 1.0000) and robustness (% RSD < 1). The amount of hispidulin content in the extracts of C. petasites roots conducted from the validated method was found to be 0.0182 ± 0.0109 g/100 g crude drug. Conclusion: The HPLC-PDA analysis was able to effectively determine hispidulin in C. petasites roots. The hispidulin contents in C. petasites dried roots from various areas in Thailand were revealed which could be used for the specification of this crude drug with reference to its chemical marker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study explores factors related to length of stay (LOS) in a rural public hospital in Thailand and assesses the feasibility of using LOS as an ED key performance indicator. Methods: Using a mixed‐methods approach, qualitative methods (in‐depth interviews, patients' chart review and participatory observations) were used to guide and elaborate findings from quantitative analysis of 555 electronic ED records. Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that age, Emergency Severity Index score and number of laboratory tests were significantly associated with LOS. The qualitative approach provided contradicting evidence on the linkage between LOS and patient outcomes. On the one hand, considering the 4 h rule, a child with asthma was referred to a tertiary care hospital because of deterioration after 4 h of ED care. On the other hand, a woman with sepsis was hospitalised with improved condition despite 7 h of ED care. Interviews revealed the waiting time to see doctors was probably the top priority issue for patients. Conclusions: Factors related to LOS in a rural hospital in Thailand are similar and in contrast to those of a previous study in a medical school setting. Reasons for the discrepancy of findings and implications for improving ED services were discussed. Our data support the notion of controversy in using LOS as a key indicator of ED performance in this rural hospital setting. Thus, it is imperative to not rely on any single throughput or process indicators to monitor ED performance, but to take into account a set of indicators including patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examined the factors affecting consumer buying intention in the online grocery market in Thailand. The conceptual framework incorporates the theories of technology adoption and shopping behavior, including the technology acceptance model, consumer shopping orientation, and online shopping experience. The study was conducted as a quantitative online self-administered survey of Thai consumers who had bought groceries online. The sample was primarily female, younger than 40 years of age, and highly educated. Most participants were infrequent online grocery buyers (once a month or less). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings showed that the technology acceptance model variables had the strongest effect on attitude for online shopping, although all hypotheses were accepted. The predictive value of attitude for the online buying intention for groceries was very high. The implication of this research is that online shopping is both a technology decision and a consumer decision and needs to be examined as such. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various drug camps have been introduced in Thailand since the 2000s. This study explored the effects of drug camps in Thailand. Four provinces were selected to represent different region throughout Thailand. Assessments of 2679 drug users were carried out longitudinally, age ranging from 11 to 67 years old; assessments occurred before camp, after camps, and after a 1 year follow-up. Two hundred twenty-six camps organizers, community leaders, and lay people were selected as key informants. Twenty communities were observed prospectively and 400 lay people were studied. Self-administered questionnaires were utilized as well as interview guidelines and documents. It emerged that the effectiveness of drug camp was 51.3% (intention-to-treat), whilst poly drug use increased significantly from before camp and 3 months after camp (repeated ANOVA p < 0.001) particularly among users aged 15 years old and over. Drug camps could be considered as an alternative measure for drug users; however, negative impacts should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Validity and reliability of an urbanicity scale is of utmost importance in developing effective strategies to minimize adverse social and health consequences of increased urbanization. A number of urbanicity scales for the quantitative assessment of the "static" feature of an urban environment has been invented and validated by the original developers. However, their comparability and robustness when utilized in another study context were not verified. This study aimed to examine the comparability, validity, and reliability of three urbanicity scales proposed by Dahly and Adair, Jones-Smith and Popkin, and Novak et al. in a Thailand context.Methods: Urban characteristics data for 537 communities throughout Thailand were obtained from authoritative sources, and urbinicity scores were calculated according to the original developers' algorithms with some modifications to accommodate local available data. Comparability, dimensionality, internal consistency, and criterion-related and construct validities of the scores were then determined.Results: All three scales were highly correlated, but Dahly and Adair's and Jones-Smith and Popkin's were more comparable. Only Dahly and Adair's scale achieved the unidimensionality assumption. Internal consistency ranged from very poor to high, based on their Chonbach's alpha and the corrected item-scale correlation coefficients. All three scales had good criterion-related validity (when compared against the official urban-rural dichotomy and four-category urbanicity classification) and construct validity (in terms of their relation to the mean per capita monthly income and body mass index).Conclusions: This study's results ensure the utility of these three urbanicity scales as valid instruments for examining the social and health impacts of urbanicity/urbanization, but caution must be applied with comparisons of urbanicity levels across different studies when different urbanicity scales are applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Globally, nurses practice in many settings with people with human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome ( AIDS), taking an increasing share of the professional burden of care and helping to reduce morbidity and mortality. International literature is sparse about Thai community nurses providing primary healthcare programmes for people with HIV. Aim This study aimed to describe background, experiences and strategies of community nurses regarding their design and delivery of programmes for people living with HIV and AIDS in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Design This study used a qualitative mixed-methods study employing a qualitative survey and in-depth interviews. Methods Twenty community health nurses from 18 small community hospitals completed a survey comprising demographic data and 13 open-ended questions. Four of them later engaged in in-depth interviews using the same questions. Survey, interview data and field notes were analysed using interpretive content analysis. Findings Four themes and six sub-themes portrayed participants' rich experiences and knowledge of HIV health promotion and education; challenges of daily work, discrimination and ethical issues; success through programme diversity comprising promotion of community volunteerism, networking and relationships; and holistic connections with Thai cultural traditions and Buddhism. Conclusions and implications for practice Findings help to recognize the diversity, uniqueness and contributions of Thai community nurses regarding culturally appropriate health promotion and education programmes for people living with HIV and AIDS. Findings inform nurses and health officials in and outside of the country to complement innovation in future HIV health promotion and education programmes. Limitations Our sample came from one province of Thailand. Findings might not be reflective of nurses elsewhere. Implications for health and nursing policy Three decades of collective experience in providing holistic and multifaceted HIV and AIDS nursing care, education and health promotion by community health nurses have the potential to effect new and existing policies and protocols on HIV community care in Thailand, but more research is required for this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article seeks to model the insurgency conflict in the three southern border provinces of the Kingdom of Thailand: Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. In so doing, it will explore the sustainability of the conflict by representing it in terms of a conflict life cycle that is responsive to complexity and change. The cycle arises from the cybernetic viable systems theory of 'living systems', and is able to foster a better understanding of what is happening empirically on the social level in these provinces, in respect to a situation characterized as one of incessant conflicts. This conflict model that arises suggests that there is an interconnection between the agents involved, and their individual and interactive dynamics. The conflict involves five types of politically related behaviours that occur between two interactive agents: the state (engaged in searching for and making arrests of insurgents) and the insurgents (engaged in violent acts of shooting, bombing, and arson). These agents are studied to the end of being able to determine the precise interactive nature of the political conflict in which they are engaged. In carrying out this investigation both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. The research was carried out in three stages. In the first stage, time series techniques were used to determine inferentially whether the conflict is both rational and involves interactive behaviours. Stage two adopts the Weibull distribution technique to assess the political conflict. In the third stage, a statistical analysis is conducted of the conflict situation in political terms. Finally, it is explained how the model and the methods used in this article may be used to deal with intractable conflict in other social environments, incidentally tracking the likelihood of conflicts being sustainable. Other agencies could utilize this approach in examining other political conflicts so as to be better able to prepare suitable approaches for coping with intractable conflicts to the end of fostering sustainable peace processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Greater Bangkok area, Thailand, faces potentially substantial risk from distant earthquakes for which the ground motions could be amplified by layers of thick soft clay underlying the region. The seismic regulation and design standards for buildings have been issued recently according to an updated assessment of seismic hazards, but there have been very few studies done of site characterization for evaluation of seismic wave amplification. This research aims to quantitatively investigate site characteristics of subsoils using economical and practical techniques involving microtremor observations. The Horizontal-to-Vertical spectral ratio (H/V) method is used to estimate the predominant period of amplification and the Spatial Autocorrelation (SPAC) method to determine shear wave velocity profiles at 36 sites over an area of approximately 80 km by 80 km. Comparison of velocity profiles with the available results from previous studies shows them to be in good agreement. Site classifications based on the predominant period and the average shear wave velocity are presented and discussed. Relationships between the average shear wave velocity from surface to depth of different levels and the predominant periods are examined for consistencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An increase in the average age of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases has been reported in Thailand. The cause of this increase is not known. Possible explanations include a reduction in transmission due to declining mosquito populations, declining contact between human and mosquito, and changes in reporting. We propose that a demographic shift toward lower birth and death rates has reduced dengue transmission and lengthened the interval between large epidemics. Methods and Findings: Using data from each of the 72 provinces of Thailand, we looked for associations between force of infection (a measure of hazard, defined as the rate per capita at which susceptible individuals become infected) and demographic and climactic variables. We estimated the force of infection from the age distribution of cases from 1985 to 2005. We find that the force of infection has declined by 2% each year since a peak in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Contrary to recent findings suggesting that the incidence of DHF has increased in Thailand, we find a small but statistically significant decline in DHF incidence since 1985 in a majority of provinces. The strongest predictor of the change in force of infection and the mean force of infection is the median age of the population. Using mathematical simulations of dengue transmission we show that a reduced birth rate and a shift in the population's age structure can explain the shift in the age distribution of cases, reduction of the force of infection, and increase in the periodicity of multiannual oscillations of DHF incidence in the absence of other changes. Conclusions: Lower birth and death rates decrease the flow of susceptible individuals into the population and increase the longevity of immune individuals. The increase in the proportion of the population that is immune increases the likelihood that an infectious mosquito will feed on an immune individual, reducing the force of infection. Though the force of infection has decreased by half, we find that the critical vaccination fraction has not changed significantly, declining from an average of 85% to 80%. Clinical guidelines should consider the impact of continued increases in the age of dengue cases in Thailand. Countries in the region lagging behind Thailand in the demographic transition may experience the same increase as their population ages. The impact of demographic changes on the force of infection has been hypothesized for other diseases, but, to our knowledge, this is the first observation of this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water policy-making requires the dedicated involvement of all stakeholders, but difficulties remain for the community sector. This study aims to examine the critical challenges of community involvement in water policy decision-making in Thailand. Both qualitative and quantitative methods used in this research project consisted of 39 interviews with informants from a variety of interested parties and 403 community members from around the East Coast River Basin in Thailand completing a survey questionnaire. The results have shown that although mechanisms to enable community involvement in decision-making, such as public consultation and water-related committees, exist, problems remain within the community sector. The critical challenges lie in the opportunities of being consulted and the sharing of power in water policy-making. Although the networks are important, at the same time, they are also obstructing the community sectors in linking their requirements to a final decision, as well as dealing with politics, policy-makers, and staff who organized the process. Therefore, the government should further develop water committee mechanisms by setting up a comprehensive yet practically easy consultation process so that new or inexperienced community members get an opportunity to practice and learn the vital elements necessary in water policy-making. Further research should be conducted in order to compare the opportunities in water decision-making between communities in rural and urban areas. Studies at the local government level should be carried out, with results used as a mechanism to enable community involvement at higher levels of water policy decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a coherent unified approach to the study of the linkages among economic growth, financial structure, and inequality, bringing together disparate theoretical and empirical literature. That is, we show how to conduct model-based quantitative research on transitional paths. With analytical and numerical methods, we calibrate and make tractable a prototype canonical model and take it to an application, namely, Thailand 1976–1996, an emerging market economy in a phase of economic expansion with uneven financial deepening and increasing inequality. We look at the expected path generated by the model and conduct robustness experiments. Because the actual path of the Thai economy is imagined here to be just one realization of many possible histories of the model economy, we construct a covariance-normalized squared error metric of closeness and find the best-fit simulation. We also construct a confidence region from a set of simulations and formally test the model. We broadly replicate the actual data and identify anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]