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Balancing economic gains and food security in the context of SDG 2, and focusing on the shift from rice farming to sugarcane cultivation, the nations can reap substantial economic gains by switching from food crops to cash crops. This change may affect the accessibility and price of food, which raises concerns about the possibility of food insecurity. The present study examined the impact of transitioning from rice farming to sugarcane cultivation on Dietary Energy Intake (DEI) in the Nong Bua Lamphu province in Northeast Thailand. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire survey and seven-day food consumption records from the farm households. Data was analysed through the methods of DEI: the minimum daily energy requirement (MDER), average dietary energy requirement (ADER) and probit regression. The results showed that income from farming irrespective of the type of farmer, food insecurity was relatively rare considering the MDER. The study found that 54% of small, 29% of medium and 4% of large farmers were having less DEI when considering their ADER. The regression model results showed that income from sugarcane, non-farm income and the % of land under sugarcane cultivation played a significant role in achieving DEI. This study emphasizes the need for balanced biofuel crop promotion policies in developing countries, focusing on smallholder farmers, to ensure food security, economic growth and sustainable development. Moreover, policies should be designed to provide support, resources and training to small farmers to ensure they can meet their dietary energy requirements while participating in cash crop cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the influence of geographic, knowledge and behavioral factors on Opisthorchis (O.) viverrini infection in the Northeast of Thailand. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by using four datasets of years 2016 and 2017. Generalized linear mixed model was employed to analyze association between geographic, knowledge and behavioral factors and O. viverrini infection. Results: Totally there were 1 885 participants. The prevalence of O. viverrini infection was 10.03%. Geographic factors that showed statistically significant association with O. viverrini infection in the Northeast region were featured by at least a dam and reservoir (Adj. OR = 4.21, 95%CI: 2.49-7.13, P < 0.001), at least a weir (Adj. OR = 1.74, 95%CI: 1.09-2.77, P = 0.020), > 50 dogs and cats per village (Adj. OR = 3.40, 95%CI: 2.17-5.31, P < 0.001), and rice fields covered > 50% of its areas (Adj. OR = 1.91, 95%CI: 1.04-4.01, P = 0.036), as well as low to moderate levels of knowledge (Adj. OR = 1.60, 95%CI: 1.32 to 1.94, P < 0.001), consumed raw fish (Adj. OR = 1.90, 95%CI: 1.02 to 3.52, P = 0.040) and consumed processed raw fish (Adj. OR = 3.03, 95%CI: 2.20 to 4.18, P < 0.001). Other significant covariates were gender and age of the respondents. Conclusions: O. viverrini infection still remains a public health problem of the Northeast of Thailand. Geographic and demographic factors, knowledge, and consumption behaviors of raw fish products are significantly associated with O. viverrini infection.

Background: Dietary supplement consumption have been widely used worldwide including Thailand aiming at improving or maintaining health. This research aimed to describe the patterns and identify the association between health literacy and dietary supplement consumption in the Northeast of Thailand. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,200 persons, aged 18 or older, who were multistage random sampling from four provinces of the Northeast of Thailand to response to a structured questionnaire interview. The multiple logistic regression was performed to identify the influence of health literacy on dietary supplement consumption among people in the Northeast of Thailand when controlling the covariates. Result: Among the total of 1,200 participants, 76.10% (95%CI: 73.42-78.78) were currently consuming dietary supplement. Factors that were associated with dietary supplement consumption were; had sufficient to excellent level of health literacy on appraising health information (adj.OR= 1.97; 95%CI: 1.30-2.99), had sufficient to excellent level of health literacy on accessing to health information (adj.OR= 1.91; 95%CI: 1.28-2.86), had chronic disease (adj.OR= 2.45; 95%CI: 1.74-3.44), had low level of knowledge on dietary supplement (adj.OR= 2.13; 95%CI: 1.38 -3.27), were males (adj. OR= 2.11; 95%CI: 1.65 -2.69), dissatisfied with self-body image (adj.OR= 1.50; 95%CI: 1.13 -1.98), married (adj.OR= 1.49; 95%CI: 1.16 -1.92), had insomnia (adj.OR = 1.48; 95%CI: 1.15 -1.98), when controlling other covariates including age, income, education, occupation, chronic health, health expenditure and physical activities. Conclusion: Most of the population in the Northeast of Thailand consumed dietary supplement. Health literacy in accessing and appraising health information as well as health status were associated with dietary consumption. Enhancing the health literacy and knowledge on dietary supplement were essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: More than one third of teenage pregnancies was found in the Northeast of Thailand. The objective of this research was to examine the influence of personal, family, peer factors, sexuality attitude, and the comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) on teenage pregnancies in the Northeast of Thailand. Methodology: This case control study was conducted with the 1:3 proportion of case and control. The case were 60 teenage aged 15-19 years old, lived in the Northeast of Thailand, and delivered a baby less than 1 years. The control was 180 teenagers aged between 15 and 19 years old in the same region but never pregnant. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with teenage pregnancy presenting adjusted odds ratio and 95% confident Interval for the magnitude of association. P-value of <0.05 was statistically significant cut point. Result: Among 240 teenagers, 60 were teenage pregnancy with the mean age of 17.09±0.63 years old, whereas 180 teenagers were the control group with mean age of 16.83±0.56. The multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that had no to one brother (adj.OR=5.08; 95%CI: 2.28-11.35), had friend lived with her boyfriend (adj.OR=4.97; 95%CI: 2.33-10.58), had average level of sexual attitude (adj.OR=4.68; 95%CI: 2.82-10.79), had average level of CSE (adj.OR=4.56; 95%CI: 2.93-10.52) were associated with teenage pregnancy, when controlling other covariates. Conclusion: Family and peer factors, sexual attitude, as well as comprehensive sex education had influence on teenage pregnancy in the Northeast of Thailand. Effective comprehensive sex education is in need to help improve sexual attitude especially among those lived in the vulnerable family and peer environment. Families should closely supervise their children on sexuality, gender roles and social norms [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stroke is the 2nd leading cause of death and 3rd rank of disability in the world including Thailand as well. This research aimed to determine the trend and investigate factors associated with depressive disorder among elderly stroke patients in the Northeast of Thailand. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 612 elderly stroke patients who were multistage random sampling from four provinces of the Northeast of Thailand to response to a structured questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify the factors influenced on depressive disorder of elderly stroke patients in the Northeast of Thailand. Result: Among the total of 612 elderly stroke patients, 77.61% (95%CI: 74.10-80.85) had depression disorder. Factors that were associated with depressive disorders among elderly stroke patients were; impaired daily activities (adj.OR=15.82; 95%CI: 8.36-29.91), low access to health service (adj.OR=6.01; 95%CI: 3.20-11.28), rehabilitation at home (adj.OR=4.56;95%CI:2.52-8.24), unemployment (adj.OR=2.02; 95%CI: 1.20-3.36) when controlling other covariates including age, education, income, chronic disease, duration of illness and health insurance. Conclusion: More than two-third of elderly stroke patients had depressive disorders. Limitation in performing daily activities, poor access to health services, inadequate rehabilitation and unemployment were associated with depression among elderly stroke patients in the Northeast of Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to health care among migrants groups is major concerning in Thailand. This study aimed to explore the situation of health care accessibility of migrants in the border land in the Northeast of Thailand. This quantitative survey research was conducted in 72 migrants in the border areas in the Northeast of Thailand. Collecting data was using a created questionnaires whose ever been accessed in healthcare service in the system. The results showed that migrants, there were four nationalities comprised such Laos (77.8%), Cambodia(16.7%), Myanmar (2.8%) and stateless (2.8%) respectively. Most of them came to Thailand without the resident’s visa and illegal immigrant as 73.6%. There was only only 29.6%has registered with Thai health insurance scheme which was seperated in Universal care coverage for migrant 47.6%, Social Security scheme for migrant worker 38.1% and Others 14.3%. The major problem of migrants was poor opportunity to access in health care service due to their inability to pay. In the other hands, group with health insurance system was facing to continue their right and maintaining. In conclusion, this finding is most of the migrant workers could not access health services. Legal status has important for applying for a health management system. Obstacles to accessing the health service system due to the lack of legal status which affects various aspects of the migrant population. The Thai government should develop a system for a registration system for a migrant in the health system without regardless of legal status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the influence of geographic, knowledge and behavioral factors on Opisthorchis (O.) viverrini infection in the Northeast of Thailand. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by using four datasets of years 2016 and 2017. Generalized linear mixed model was employed to analyze association between geographic, knowledge and behavioral factors and O. viverrini infection. Results: Totally there were 1 885 participants. The prevalence of O. viverrini infection was 10.03%. Geographic factors that showed statistically significant association with O. viverrini infection in the Northeast region were featured by at least a dam and reservoir (Adj. OR = 4.21, 95%CI: 2.49-7.13, P < 0.001), at least a weir (Adj. OR = 1.74, 95%CI: 1.09-2.77, P = 0.020), > 50 dogs and cats per village (Adj. OR = 3.40, 95%CI: 2.17-5.31, P < 0.001), and rice fields covered > 50% of its areas (Adj. OR = 1.91, 95%CI: 1.04-4.01, P = 0.036), as well as low to moderate levels of knowledge (Adj. OR = 1.60, 95%CI: 1.32 to 1.94, P < 0.001), consumed raw fish (Adj. OR = 1.90, 95%CI: 1.02 to 3.52, P = 0.040) and consumed processed raw fish (Adj. OR = 3.03, 95%CI: 2.20 to 4.18, P < 0.001). Other significant covariates were gender and age of the respondents. Conclusions: O. viverrini infection still remains a public health problem of the Northeast of Thailand. Geographic and demographic factors, knowledge, and consumption behaviors of raw fish products are significantly associated with O. viverrini infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration is generally seen as a key process driving transformation, especially from a 'traditional agriculture' to a 'modern industrial society.' In Thailand, rural-urban migration has been evident for a long time. However, at present, a great number of the population is still earning its living in rural areas. The force of transformation was not enough to move Thailand beyond being a 'middle income country.' This paper explores the implication of migration on well-being of families and communities in the Northeast of Thailand. The empirical data for the analysis of this paper is drawn from a study of three rural villages in the Northeast of Thailand, carried out within a research project named "Personalising the Middle Income Trap." It will argue that along with the material transformation, returning migrants and villagers have re-prioritized their values. These values and material aspects become decisive factors in the choice of how to earn a living and therefore shape well-being outcomes. This study also found that the rich seem to be experiencing higher happiness after returning to their villages, while the poor do not experience subjective well-being in the same manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]