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Older adults suffer from sleep disturbances, especially during hospitalization, affecting their health condition, recovery, and in-hospital mortality. Therefore, we aimed to explore the effectiveness of a multi-sensory sleep-promotion program on sleep quality among hospitalized Thai older adults.In a quasi-experimental study, the 52 eligible older adults in a private medical ward were equally assigned into two groups. The experimental group received a sleep quality assessment after the first night of admission, the 60-minute multi-sensory sleep-promotion program for three nights, and an outcome evaluation on the last night after the intervention. In contrast, the control group received routine care for the same period. Sleep quality was measured by the Verran and Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale (Thai version). In addition, independent and paired samples t-tests compared the sleep quality between and within the two groups.The older adults in the experimental group had better sleep quality than those who did not (A multi-sensory sleep-promotion program can promote the sleep quality of older adults. The five alternative methods to promote sleep are effective without the deleterious effects of hypnotics and sedatives often experienced among older adults. Therefore, nurses and other healthcare professionals can implement this program as standard practice. In addition, they may adjust it to fit the acuity level and care dependencies of older adults in other cultures to promote sleep quality.

The magnanimous functionalities and flexibility of smartphone device make them well suited for collecting field data, especially for the local healthcare professional. This paper describes the results of the acceptability and feasibilityfor community health workers (CHWs) after using smartphone application called 'OSOMO prompt' app. The results indicated that the comparison of means of one sample t-test responses to the questions on the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of 'OSOMO prompt' app. The CHWs found that the high average scores of using the 'OSOMO prompt' app were useful in their job (mean=3.97±.68) and easy to use (Mean=3.95±.62). The app also had high score point of improving the quality of CHWs work, easy to do CHWs job, clearly and stability app while all items of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were statistical significantly (p-value.001). In conclusion, challenging of smartphone 'OSOMO prompt' app was feasible and acceptable to CHWs.

Background and Objectives In Cambodia, the patients’ rights guideline was officially released in 2007 as a measure of the government policy to promote greater awareness and empower Cambodian people to exercise their rights as patients. The aim of this study was to identify the proportion of patients aware of the existence of patients’ rights and compare the proportions of patients intending to exercise their rights and those actually exercising their rights among the aware and unaware groups. Methods Data were collected with a structured questionnaire, using face-to-face interview technique, from 142 randomly selected outpatients visiting the Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Intention to exercise patients’ rights was measured on a 5-point Likert scale (ranging from 1 “definitely not” to 5 “definitely yes”). Results The proportion of Cambodian patients who were aware of the existence of patients’ rights was 31.0% (95% CI: 23.5, 39.3). The average intention to act scores was 4.0±0.5 for the whole group, and 4.3±0.4 and 3.9±0.5 for those aware and unaware of the existence of patients’ rights, respectively. The difference in the mean scores of intentions to act between the aware and unaware groups was statistically significant (mean difference =0.40, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.58, t140=4.514, P< 0.001). Patients reported a total of 250 situations in which they believed they should take action to exercise their rights and 96 times that they took action (38.4%, 95% CI: 35.46, 41.34). Conclusion The proportion of Cambodian outpatients aware of the existence of patients’ rights and the proportion of outpatients that exercised their rights were both low. Nevertheless, it appeared that raising awareness of the existence of patients’ rights raised patient’s intention to act, which corresponds to the hierarchy-of-effects behavioral model.

Hypertension is a cause of cardiovascular complications and premature death worldwide. Prevalence of hypertension is doubled older population. Close monitoring must be promptly equipped by healthcare team without delays to preserve intact cardiovascular system. In Thailand, village health volunteers (VHVs, OSOMO in Thai) are key healthcare personnel that co-ordinate health information between the older persons and health care professionals. The VHVs have been trained to measure blood pressure, record, and submit a report to health professionals in monthly basis. However, the blood pressure records in some health areas were still incomplete due to incontiguous data collection and difficult access to the older persons. This project was aimed to develop a geographical information system (GIS)-based mobile application for hypertension surveillance and monitoring in older persons in rural community by the VHVs using the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) model. Results showed that blood pressure data of 6,421 (76.92%) of the older persons were recorded. We employed the Google Map Application Programming Interface (API) to identify latitude and longitude of the older persons’ living locations. Other health data were also recorded.

Tooth loss is associated with both cognitive impairment and fall risk. However, the relationships between these variables are complex and bidirectional. Observed associations have been reported in separate studies but data on rural-dwelling older adults remain sparse. This cross-sectional study investigated socioeconomic and dental factors affecting cognitive functions, and the association between tooth loss, cognitive functioning, and fall risk. Two hundred and thirty-one rural-dwelling older adults (60–74 years old) were recruited from a single Dental Service Unit. Cognitive function and fall risk were assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Morse Fall Scale, respectively. Oral examinations were performed by a dentist using the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs form. 38.1%, had >16 tooth loss. Socioeconomic data and health status were obtained from a questionnaire and interviews. Age, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score, and the number of teeth lost was significantly associated with impaired cognitive function. Chi-square analysis showed that cognitive function was also associated with fall risk. Past research suggests that much cognitive impairment and fall risk is induced by tooth loss. Service planners need to be aware of the complex bidirectional relationships between these variables and give higher priority to dental services that can improve the general health status and social functioning of older rural adults.

Raksaworn Jaisaard,1 Tipaporn Kanjanarach,2 Sutin Chanaboon,3 Borey Ban4 1Pharmacy and Health System Graduate Program, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; 2Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy and Center for Research and Development of Herbal Health Product, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; 3Department of Community Health, Sirindhorn College of Public Health Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen, 40000, Thailand; 4Technical School for Medical Care, University of Health Sciences, Phnom Penh, CambodiaCorrespondence: Tipaporn KanjanarachDepartment of Social and Administrative Pharmacy and Center for Research and Development of Herbal Health Product, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, 123 Moo 16, Mittraphap Road, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Khon Kaen, 40002, ThailandTel +66 81 739 2822Fax +66 043 202 379Email otipkan@kku.ac.thBorey BanTechnical School for Medical Care, University of Health Sciences, Phnom Penh, CambodiaTel +855 17 436 496Email boreyban89@gmail.comObjective: A three study research program was conducted to identify high calcium products available in the market (study I), identify high calcium products that were known or consumed by lower secondary school students in the last three months (study II), and identify the amount and sources of calcium that students had consumed in the prior 24 hours, their knowledge about sources of high calcium and how to interpret calcium information on nutrition labels of food packages (study III).Methods: In study I, a cross-sectional market survey was employed. In studies II and III, a school-based cross-sectional survey was employed. The survey population was students enrolled in grades 7– 9 (11– 14 years old) in a medium-sized lower secondary school in semi-urban Khon Kaen, Thailand. A total of 309 students were invited, with 168 and 209 students participating in studies II and III, respectively. Data were collected with self-administered questionnaires.Results: Ninety-three high calcium products were identified. Only 49 were known or consumed by students in the last three months. The median amount of calcium consumed in the previous 24 hours was 410 mg (IQR: 160, 983). Only 31.1% of students (65/209) consumed more than the Thai recommended daily intake (TRDI) of calcium (800mg) in the previous 24 hours. Their main source of calcium was milk. Other high calcium items that were consumed were malt drink, minnow, canned fish, calcium fortified soy milk and Chinese kale. The overall average knowledge score was 6.5± 2.4 out of a maximum of 17. The average knowledge scores for high calcium food sources and for interpreting the calcium information on a sample nutrition label were 4.6+1.8 (out of 12), and 1.9± 1.2 (out of 5), respectively.Discussion: Students should be introduced to high calcium products in their community such as hard tofu, minnow, and small freshwater shrimp. Educational programs on nutrition label interpretation are needed.Keywords: calcium intake, adolescent, calcium-rich food, calcium knowledge, source of calcium, nutrition fact

Objective: The purposes of this study were to develop and conduct a feasibility test on effects of a sleep-promoting program on sleep quality among older patients at special medical ward Chaloemphrakiat 9th floor Chaiyaphum Hospital. Methodology: This study was divided into two phases. In phase I, a sleep-promoting program for older patients in hospital was developed based on a systematic review of 13 empirical articles and the context of the special medical ward Chaloemphrakiat 9th floor Chaiyaphum Hospital was also applied. The feasibility of the program was evaluated by a medical doctor and registered nurses who are experts in sleep managements and interventions. In phase II, this sleep program was piloted among 10 older patients at special medical ward Chaloemphrakiat 9th floor Chaiyaphum Hospital for five days. Results: The sleep program was evaluated by a medical doctor and four registered nurses. They confirmed that this program was suitable to be used to promote sleep for older patients admitted to hospital. However, minor adjustments to justify volume of drinks and time of activity in the program were needed, volume of drinks was increased and time of activities was shortened. Finally, there was 100% agreement and the pilot study in 10 hospitalized older patents showed that after participating in the program, patients’ sleep quality scores were better (Mdn = 111.50) than before participating in the program (Mdn = 61.50). A Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated that this difference was statistically significant, Z = -2.80 p = .005. Conclusion: The sleep promoting program was high feasibility to use to promote sleep quality among hospitalized older patients. However, to confirm the effectiveness of the program, well-designed study with larger sample size were needed for further study.

BACKGROUND Stress can cause psychological and physiological changes. Many studies revealed that massage can decrease stress. However, traditional Thai massage has not been well researched in this regard. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on salivary alpha-amylase levels (sAA), heart rate variability (HRV), autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, and plasma renin activity (PRA). MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-nine healthy participants were randomly allocated into either a traditional Thai massage (TTM) group or Control (C) group, after which they were switched to the other group with a 2-week wash-out period. Each of them was given a 10-minute mental arithmetic test to induce psychological stress before a 1-hour session of TTM or rest. RESULTS Within-groups comparison revealed that sAA was significantly decreased (p

Knowledge of the situation and risk factors associated with alcohol consumption are essential for prevention and control measures of health consequences. This study aims to explore the prevalence of alcohol consumption and the factors associated with alcohol consumption in the population aged 12-65 years.This was a descriptive study. This survey used multi-stage sampling and face-to-face interviews, carried out in both urban and rural areas. Those interviewed were a representative sample of 876 people in the ratio ofone male and one female to represent the household. Data were collected by interviewers between 1 January and 28 February 2012. The data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square, multiple logistic regression, OR and 95% CI of OR. This study was approved by the ethics and research institutional review board of Khon Kaen University No. HE53121.The mean age of the respondents was 41.7 years (SD 13.6). The majority of the respondents were the head of the family (33.9%), those educated to primary school level (44.6%), living in rural areas (55.9%), who were married (70.7%), and who were farmers (35.3%). The prevalence of alcohol consumption during the previous week was 6.3% (95% CI: 4.7 to 7.9), during the previous month was 35.2% (95% CI: 32.0 to 38.3), and during the previous year was 41.0% (95% CI: 37.7 to 44.2). The factors associated with alcohol consumption were gender (male/female) AOR 6.5 (95% CI 4.4 to 8.9, p-value0.001) age group (25-44/45-65) AOR 1.6 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.4, p-value = 0.011) location (rural/urban) AOR 1.7 (95% C1 1.3 to 2.4, p-value0.001) educational attainment (bachelor or master degree/primary school) AOR 1.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.8, p-value = 0.031) and the occupation (laborer) AOR 1.6 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.4, p-value = 0.015).Knowing the prevalence and factors associated with alcohol consumption are essential to understanding the situation, solving related problems and using the information in the campaign for the prevention and control of alcohol consumption

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on psychological stress and heart rate variability (HRV).Thirty healthy participants were randomly allocated in two groups, a TTM group (n = 15) who received a 1-hour session with moderate pressure of whole body TTM or a control group (n=15) who rested on the bedfor 1 hour All ofthem were given a 10-minute mental arithmetic test to induce psychological stress after which they received a 1-hour session of TTM or bed rest. Psychological stress and HR V were measured at baseline and immediately after mental arithmetic test, and immediately after TTM or bed rest.The studyfound that psychological stress was signficantly increased (p0.05) after mental arithmetic test in both groups. Comparison on these measures between immediately after mental arithmetic test and after TTM or bed rest revealed that psychological stress was significantly decreased (p0.05) and HR Vwas significantly increased (p0.05) in both groups. Root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and low frequency were significantly increased (p0.05) only in the TTM group. However; all of these measures were found without significant difference when groups were compared.TTM and bed rest could decrease psychological stress and HRV