Thai People Research Articles

Co-opting the stars: Divination and the politics of resistance in Buddhist Thailand

Beginning in 2020, young people in Thailand have led rallies to protest the interference of the military and the monarchy in politics. They have also condemned the role played by Buddhist discourse and court ritual in celebrating kings as divine. ‘No God, No King, Only Human’ reads a protest sign. Simultaneously, however, some groups of protesters have used the same ‘religious’ repertoire, such as the astrological tradition of the court, in their activism, turning it into an instrument of resistance. This article explores this apparent ambivalence via an ethnographic focus on divination, a long-standing central feature of Thai politics. Drawing from a decade of fieldwork conducted with diviners (mo du) and their clients from both pro-regime and pro-democracy camps, including prominent young activists, I argue that progressive individuals do not necessarily need to reject cosmological ideas and rituals deemed conservative in order to resist. Rather, many proactively co-opt them to enhance their own position in the polity, further demonstrating the inability of those in power to live up to accepted moral standards. This strategy, which builds on a Southeast Asian tradition of millenarianism, mobilises dogmatic notions including karma in support of narratives and practices of resistance.

An empirical study of Thailand cities' color landscapes

Color landscapes are important parts of cultural landscapes. Cities are cradles of human spiritual and material civilizations. As a city changes, its unique cultural context also changes. One of the most significant features of a city is its color landscapes, which help to convey the culture and spirit of a city in a deeply intuitive way. The color landscapes not only shape a city image, highlights a city personality, and transmits cultural information but it is also an important aid in helping people to perceive regional cultural values and experience folk customs. With these concepts in mind, the researchers of this study have selected three typical tourist cities in Thailand as the basis for an empirical study. Three main findings are discussed: (1) Thailand's city color landscapes tend to consist of pure colors with high saturation, and colorful colors have been integrated into Thai people's daily life, which reflect Thailand's different history and culture. (2) The clearer the attributes of the color landscape, the more pertinent they are to the images of the tourist destination. (3) The geographical environment, local religious beliefs, and tourists' expectations are the main motivating factors in choosing the main colors of a city. City color landscapes have become an important part of Thailand's city tourism “industry” and would promote the development of sustainable tourism.

Improved Ratio Type Estimators using some Prior Information in Sample Surveys: A Case Study of Fine Particulate Matter in Thailand

Air pollution affects Thai people's health and social life nowadays as it exceeds the standards levels of both Thailand and the World Health Organization. Estimating air pollution data can benefit understanding and determining policies to help deal with this issue. Prior knowledge from past surveys or censuses could be useful for increasing the effect of the estimation. Improved ratio estimators utilizing prior knowledge in simple random sampling without replacement have been advocated. The property of the mean square error of the proposed class of estimators is obtained. We applied the proposed estimators to the fine particulate matter data in Dindang in 2019. The results from the air pollution data illustrate the improved ratio type estimators work better with respect to the existing estimator using some prior information. Existing knowledge of the quartile average and the median of the auxiliary variable gives rise to the best estimators with the lowest mean square errors for estimating fine particulate matter. Nevertheless, the proposed estimators are useful for small sampling fractions which can help in financial and time-consuming.

Factors Influencing Farmers’ Decisions on Highland Paddy Rice Planting in Chiang Mai Province

Rice has been the national food in Thailand and the most important economic crop bringing numerous incomes to the country for a long time. Farming is the main occupation of most Thai people. The most popular and famous rice variety in Thailand is Khao Dok Mali 105. This research studies factors influencing the farmers’ decisions on paddy rice planting in Chiang Mai Province and its benefits. Furthermore, it is beneficial to strengthen Thailand's rice production along with educating farmers on the production process according to international standards aiming to stop using chemicals in the agricultural sector. From the population of 244,291 ethnic farmers in Chiang Mai, the sample was 400 ethnic farmers who plant highland paddy rice in Chiang Mai by calculating from Taro Yamane’s formula using the survey research. Most of them were married 40-to-49-year-old men who graduated from primary school. Descriptive statistical analysis included mean, percentage, and standard deviation. The findings revealed that the factors influencing farmers’ decisions on paddy rice planting at a high level were health, cost, labor, and price, and the factors influencing farmers’ decisions on paddy rice planting at a moderate level were production, market, environment, and policy. The farmers gave more importance to the health factor than the price, environment, production, market, and policy factors. Also, they gave more importance to the cost factor than the market and policy factors. Besides, they gave more importance to the price than the market factor. In addition, they showed more importance to the labor factor than the market factor. However, they gave less importance to the market factor than the environmental factor.

Factors Affecting Farmers’ Acceptance of Highland Paddy Rice Variety Planting in Chiang Mai Province

Rice has been the national food in Thailand and the most important economic crop bringing numerous incomes to the country for a long time. Farming is the main occupation of most Thai people. The most popular and famous rice variety in Thailand is Khao Dok Mali 105. In the research, it is to study factors affecting farmers’ acceptance of highland paddy rice. From the population of 244,291 ethnic farmers in Chiang Mai, the sample was 400 ethnic farmers who plant highland paddy rice in Chiang Mai Province by calculating from Taro Yamane’s formula. The research instrument was a four-part questionnaire. However, two farmers did not complete the questionnaire, so the sample remained 398 farmers. Statistics for analysis consist of frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and logit model. The findings revealed that five factors affected farmers’ acceptance of highland paddy rice planting in Chiang Mai Province including gender, education, rice planting experience, monthly average income, and the number of labourers in the household, which were all statistically significant at p≤0.01. ‘Gender’ could decrease farmers’ acceptance of highland paddy rice planting in Chiang Mai Province in the percentage of 12.10. ‘Education’ could increase farmers’ acceptance of highland paddy rice planting in Chiang Mai Province in the percentage of 43.20. ‘Rice planting experience’ could decrease farmers’ acceptance of highland paddy rice planting in Chiang Mai Province in the percentage of 57.30. ‘Average monthly income’ could increase farmers’ acceptance of highland paddy rice planting in Chiang Mai Province in the percentage of 38.80. ‘Number of household labourers’ could increase farmers’ acceptance of highland paddy rice planting in Chiang Mai Province in the percentage of 21.50. For problems and barriers of the farmers planting highland paddy rice varieties in Chiang Mai Province, it was revealed that the farmers had two problems at the highest-level including paddy rice seed shortage for planting and co-growers’ internal problems.

Health literacy, health behavior, social support and quality of life among socially dependent elderly people, in Phayao Province, Thailand

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the level of health literacy, health behavior, social support and quality of life among socially dependent elderly people , and to investigate correlations and predictable factors for their quality of life. 450 elderly people in Thailand's Phayao province were chosen using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using questionnaires between November 7th, 2022 and January 30th, 2023. Descriptive analysis, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The results showed that health literacy (HL-3ESA) and social support were adequate, health behavior (HB-3ESA) was good, and quality of life (QL) was at a good level. QL differed significantly between groups according to age, occupation, education, BMI, and disease condition. Cognitive function and information on HL-3ESA and emotional support were positively and significant in their correlation with QL, whereas HL-3ESA was negatively significant in its correlation with QL. Multiple regression analysis indicated that seven dependent variables predicted QL; disease condition (β= 3.94), frequency of health information (β=.932), HB-3ESA (β= -.526), occupation (β= -.386), age (β= -.215), HL-3ESA (β= .210),and social support (β= .124) and all were able to predict QL from samples at 27.3%. The findings should be used to help set up activities to promote health care measures for socially dependent elderly in the area under study and similar areas.

Factors Affecting Community Management during Crisis for the Sustainability of Underprivilege People

Thailand prioritizes country development for sustainability, emphasizing local economy promotion and development via the Thailand 4.0 policy as the guideline for personnel potential enhancement to moving the country forward and competitiveness under a crisis and changing unpredictable circumstances. Therefore, risks are affecting the economy of the nation, community, and the living of people, particularly underprivileged people who has no life security and assurance. For this reason, the relevant agencies and communities should implement efficient management, so they are self-reliant and can survive. This research applied the concept of Sufficiency Economy to examine the factors affecting the success (primary factors and secondary factors) of community management during a crisis through the perspective of the community leaders council, who were the experts. Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) was used for data analysis based on experts’ consensus. The findings indicated that the significant criteria affecting the success of the crisis community management of the underprivileged people is “Crisis Leadership” and the most significant sub-criteria is “Opportunity from Crisis” (8.50), followed by “Reliability” (5.38) and then, “Household Economy” (5.13) and “Food Stability” (5.13), respectively. The research results are practical for planning and for application as the data to promote and assist the underprivileged people in Thailand based on the sufficiency economy philosophy approach so that they can deal with any crisis accordingly, which will help to save time and the budget.

Effect of date palm cultivars on chemical and phytochemical properties of date vinegars

Introduction: Phoenix dactylifera, commonly known as date or date palm, is a flowering plant species in the palm family Arecaceae, cultivated for its edible sweet fruit called dates. Dates are high in dietary fibre and antioxidant compounds, known for preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases. This research studied the chemical properties, antioxidant activities, and total phenolic content of fermented date vinegars from Phoenix dactylifera L. fruits, which had three cultivars - Barhi, Siam S1, and KL1. Methods: The first step was making date wines by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae (0.75% v/v of date juice content) to produce alcohol; the second step was making date vinegars by using Acetobacter pasteurianus (10% v/v of inoculum). Thereafter, the wines and vinegars were analysed for their chemical properties [high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)], antioxidant activities [2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay], and total phenolic content (folin ciocalteu method). Results: Results showed that the highest alcohol content was 9.35% (v/v) in Siam S1 wine. The highest acetic acid was 7% (v/v) in Siam S1 vinegar. From the phytochemical analysis of vinegars, the highest antioxidant activity was found to be 24.96 mg/mL in Siam S1 vinegar, while the highest total phenolic content was found to be 208.35 mg GAE/L in KL1 vinegar. Conclusion: This novel research showed that the Siam S1 date had the highest acetic acid and antioxidant activity in vinegar. Thus, this cultivar could be processed to make new, healthy products that can further lead to income generation for the people in Thailand.

Longitudinal Profiles of Anti-Platelet Factor 4 Antibodies in Thai People Who Received ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccination.

Anti-platelet factor 4 (anti-PF4) antibodies were identified as pathogenic antibodies for vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) in subjects receiving ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccinations. We performed a prospective cohort study to determine the prevalence of anti-PF4 and the effect of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine on anti-PF4 in healthy Thai subjects. Anti-PF4 antibodies were measured before and four weeks after receiving the first vaccination. Participants with detectable antibodies were scheduled for repeat anti-PF4 analysis at 12 weeks after the second vaccination. Of 396 participants, ten participants (2.53%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-4.59) were positive for anti-PF4 before receiving vaccinations. Twelve people (3.03%; 95% CI, 1.58-5.23) had detectable anti-PF4 after the first vaccination. There was no difference in the optical density (OD) values of anti-PF4 antibodies when comparisons were made between pre-vaccination and four weeks after the first vaccination (p = 0.0779). There was also no significant difference in OD values in participants with detectable antibodies. No subjects experienced thrombotic complications. Pain at the injection site was associated with an increased risk of being anti-PF4 positive at an odds ratio of 3.44 (95% CI, 1.06-11.18). To conclude, the prevalence of anti-PF4 was low in Thais and did not significantly change over time.

Approach to Applying Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in Community Enterprise Management towards Sustainability

Sustainability is essential for every business and organization, but how can it be achieved? This work is a study of sustainability based on the sufficiency economy philosophy, a valuable concept introduced by the Thai people. We apply it to the notion of sustainability in 400 agricultural community enterprise owners in Thailand, who participated in this study. An oblique rotation component analysis was performed, finding that the variables on the same side are related, and a confirmative component analysis with structural equation models was conducted. The results showed that the approach to applying the sufficiency economy philosophy among community enterprises consists of 11 components, as follows: (1) financial control, (2) planning, (3) member management, (4) morals, (5) prevention plan, (6) moderation, (7) knowledge and expertise, (8) market development, (9) care, (10) quality control and (11) value of investment. The confirmative component analysis with structural equation modeling was consistent with the empirical data. Agricultural community enterprises and entrepreneurs focus on the moral component, conduct business with honesty to avoid causing problems for others, value justice without taking advantage with diligence and adhere to moral principles in life, because all of the above will lead to sustainability in the future.

The Cocreation of the Songkran Festival in Thailand And the Codestruction of Its Cultural Significance

This article investigated the codestruction of cultural significance through the cocreation and evolution of a hallmark cultural event, using the Songkran Festival, Thailand, as a case study. The Songkran Festival began within an agricultural society rooted in Buddhist cultural inheritance. Traditionally, Thai people cocreated the celebration by offering food to monks ( Puñña ), and releasing fish or birds on Maha Songkran (i. e., the last day of the previous year) in April. They built sand pagodas or Chedi Sai at Buddhist temples to compensate for sand that was removed under their feet over the previous year. They also reunited with family by traveling back to their hometowns to pay respects to family elders and ancestors. After that, they would pour water from a silver bowl onto each other's shoulders as a sign of blessing, and the water represented wishes for good rainfall for the New Year's harvest. The cocreation between tourism sectors, local businesses, and the festival stakeholders transformed festivities into foam parties, special events, and leisure activities to stimulate tourism demand and to generate economic benefit. Consequently, these new celebrating practices codestructed the cultural significance and core values of the Songkran Festival. Therefore, this study sought to understand the evolution and cocreation phenomena in the festival that leads to codestruction of its cultural significance and core values through document analysis and semistructured interviews. The findings were thematically reported into four crucial themes that present key characteristics of codestructed cultural significance in the Songkran Festival: social change, public participation, the proliferation of leisure activities for economic gain, and commercialization of the Songkran Festival. The implications of this study contribute to expanding the understanding of the coexistence between cocreation and codestruction phenomena in cultural events.

Acceptability and Feasibility of Genetic Testing to Assess Risk of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Impairment Among Thai Adolescents and Young Adults.

Host genetic factors may modify the risk of developing HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment (HIV-NCI), and genetic research has the potential to inform novel treatments for HIV-NCI. However, there is a need to better understand the acceptability of genetic testing among distinct populations of people living with HIV at increased risk for HIV-NCI, such as young people living with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) in low- and middle-income countries, to gauge the feasibility of genetic research within these populations. This pilot study evaluated the acceptability and feasibility of genetic testing to assess risk of future neurocognitive problems in 50 Thai adolescents and young adults (13-24 years; Meanage = 19.16 [standard deviation = 3.09]; 52% female) with PHIV and demographically similar HIV-negative controls. Participants (25 PHIV; 25 controls) completed a survey assessing acceptability of and concerns about genetic testing and were asked to provide blood samples for genetic testing. Descriptive statistics and blood draw completion rates were produced and calculated. Reported concerns about genetic testing were grouped thematically and tallied. Independent t tests and chi-squares explored demographic differences between participants who reported concerns and peers. Results indicated 46 participants (92%) rated genetic testing as "acceptable" or "completely acceptable." Eight participants (16%) reported concerns about genetic testing. The most common concerns were related to genetic information being shared or misused. Compared with participants without concerns, participants who reported concerns had more years of education and were more likely to have postsecondary schooling. Regarding completion rates, 49 participants (98%) agreed to genetic testing and provided blood samples. Overall, results support the acceptability and feasibility of incorporating genetic testing into research investigating HIV-NCI among adolescents and young adults in Thailand. Findings provide important considerations for planning future genetic studies among young people in Thailand.

Development and validation of the Thai version of the Adult Epilepsy Self-Management Scale (Thai-ESMS)

ObjectiveSelf-management is an important strategy for helping people with epilepsy (PWE) control their seizures and improve their quality of life. To date, there are scarce standard measurement tools for assessing self-management practices. This study aimed to develop and validate a Thai version of the Epilepsy Self-Management Scale (Thai-ESMS) for Thai people with epilepsy. MethodsThe translation of the Thai-ESMS was created using the adaptation of Brislin’s translation model. Content validity of the developed Thai-ESMS was independently assessed by 6 neurology experts and reported as item content validity index (I-CVI) and scale-CVI (S-CVI). We consecutively invited epilepsy patients at our outpatient epilepsy clinic to participate in the study from November to December 2021. Participants were asked to complete our 38-item Thai-ESMS. Based on the participant’s responses, construct validity was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was employed to evaluate internal consistency reliability. ResultsOverall, our 38-item Thai ESMS scale showed high content validity (S-CVI = 0.89), assessed by neurology experts. Responses from 216 patients were then used for the assessment of construct validity and internal consistency. The results showed good construct validity of 5 domains (5 factors with Eigenvalue > 1 upon EFA and good fitness index upon CFA) meaning that the developed scale is an adequate measure of the concept it was designed to evaluate and had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.819), which both values were comparable to the original English version. However, some items or domains had poorer validity and reliability than the overall scale. ConclusionsWe developed a robust 38-item Thai ESMS with high validity and good reliability to be used to help assess the magnitude of self-management skills in Thai PWE. However, more work on this measure is needed before distribution to a wider population.

Prevalence and characteristics of misdiagnosed adult-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus in Thai people by random plasma C-peptide testing

BackgroundIt is critical to determine the exact type of diabetes because misclassification led to inappropriate treatments. The classification of DM can be aided by the measurement of pancreatic autoantibodies and plasma C-peptide levels. Previous studies suggested that random plasma C-peptide testing in those with clinically diagnosed adult T1DM of at least 3 years duration has led to reclassification in some cases. AimThis study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of misdiagnosed adult-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus in Thai people by random plasma C-peptide testing. MethodsA cross-sectional study of adult Thai patients diagnosed with clinically diagnosed T1DM and DM duration of at least 3 years at Theptarin Hospital, a diabetes center in Bangkok, Thailand was studied. Clinically misdiagnosis of T1DM was defined by preserved endogenous insulin secretion. Characteristics of the misdiagnosed patients were compared with definite T1DM patients. ResultsA total of 73 patients (females 52.1%, mean age 42.2 ± 12.5 years, duration of DM 20.3 ± 11.3 years) were studied. The prevalence of available anti-GAD and anti-IA2 were 53.3% and 20.8%, respectively. Preserved endogenous insulin secretion evaluated by random C-peptide or stimulated C-peptide was found in 8 patients (11.0%). The misdiagnosed patients had higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetic complications. Three patients were suspected to have monogenic diabetes and five patients were reclassified as possible T2DM. ConclusionsApproximately one-tenth of adult T1DM patients were misdiagnosed. Random plasma C-peptide testing at least 3 years after a diagnosis of T1DM was superior to the measurement of pancreatic autoantibodies. Our present study highlights the need to increase accuracy in the diagnosis of T1DM patients by re-assessing endogenous insulin production with measurement of random plasma C-peptide levels.

Saving Face of the ‘Saviour’: The Translations of the Thai Prime Minister’s 2015 Press Interview and the 2020 National Address

Thailand became a military dictatorship in May 2014, after the army deposed the democratically elected government. After being chastised for his lack of legitimacy and appeasing his opposition, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha began to give official interviews to the international press in his second year in office and intermittently delivered the mandatory live broadcast address to the public. This paper focuses on English translations of Prayut’s 2015 interview with Al-Jazeera and his 2020 televised address. The former is characterised by an impromptu speech that demonstrates his informal speaking style, whereas the latter is a well-scripted address. Using the appraisal framework (Martin & Rose, 2007; Munday, 2012) to analyse both translations, the paper proposes negotiator as an additional resource for examining the speaker’s attitude and the translator’s evaluative choices in the English written version. This investigation demonstrates the translator’s active mediation in both subtitles for media presentation and official translation for national address: maintaining applause for the ruling government while negatively evaluating its critics; modifying the force of attitude; removing any improper features in the premier’s manner of speaking. Despite differences in time and commission, the study argues that both translations support and sustain the Thai government’s aspiration of gaining international attention in order to improve their post-coup image or save the face of the nation’s ‘saviour’, who staged the coup to help the Thai people from the political dispute. Furthermore, the findings on negotiator can be used to inform quality translation training and practice, particularly the translator’s decision-making regarding spoken features in political speeches.

Cost savings associated with palliative care among patients with genitourinary malignancies.

474 Background: The cost of cancer treatment has increased significantly in recent decades, and highest costs incurred in the last 6-months of life. Patients’ health insurance status is a factor influencing to cost of care in different from individuals’ ability to access hospital care. 80% of Thai people use the Thailand’s Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS), about 15% use the Civil Servants Medical Benefit Scheme (CSMBS). Only CSMBS can reimburse all costs of in-patient care, but UCS had to co-pay at some cost. All health scheme is equality accessibility to palliative care. Early integrated palliative care services improve the GU malignancy patients care experience, decreases healthcare utilization, and improved quality of life. Study aim was to examine Hospital-based palliative care interventions in GU malignancy patients may reduce costs. Methods: A retrospective claims database in Ramathibodi Hospital was analyzed, that included cancer patients had a medical claim for death between Jan 1, 2016 - Dec 31, 2020. Our study compared cost in patients receiving palliative care (PC) and patients receiving usual care. Costs were determined by summing paid amounts on all hospital services used within the last 6, 3 and 1 months before death, including cancer-related inpatient service, emergency room visits, cancer-related outpatient services and other hospital services with cancer diagnosis. Results: Of the 1,772 cancer patients who died, 289 (16.3%) integrated treated with PC matched to 1,483 (83.7%) were usual care patients. 107 Genitourinary Malignancies patients including 44 TCC, 36 Prostate, 22 RCC and 2 Testicular cancer, that 22 (20.6%) integrated treated with PC. Median age was 72.4 years. Patients categorized as CSMBS 48% and UCS 44.4%. The PC group had $10,244.1 (+/- 8,705.6) in last 3 months hospital costs that significantly less than in usual care $(17,174.3 +/-14,262.5) (P= 0.032) that PC group had significant reductions in medications, laboratory, and intensive care unit costs compared with usual care patients. Direct costs of inpatient care in the last 3 months of life for patients were lower in patient who received earlier PC that patients who received PC consults < 90 days was $9,728.8 (+/- 1,044.5) and patients received PC consults < 30 days cost was $12,517.7 +/- 1,476. Patients in SSS and UCS had a significantly saving cost when they received PC consultation, P=0.032. However, there was no difference in CSMBS. Conclusions: Integrated palliative care in caring GU malignant patients associates with significant hospital cost savings. Insurance status not limited in access to palliative care consultation, but influences in cost of end-of-life care.

Relationships between illness perception, functional status, social support, and self-care behavior among Thai people at high risk of stroke: A cross-sectional study.

People at high risk of stroke reported having difficulty performing self-care behavior. Although the literature has identified various factors related to self-care behavior in this population; however, there is a lack of studies to conclude the associated antecedents of self-care behavior, particularly in Thailand. This study aimed to examine the relationships between illness perception, functional status, social support, and self-care behavior among people at high risk of stroke. A correlational cross-sectional study design was used. One hundred and seventy people at high risk of stroke were selected from ten health-promoting hospitals in the Northeast region of Thailand using multi-stage sampling. Data were gathered using self-report questionnaires, including the brief illness perception questionnaire, functional status scale, multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and self-care behavior questionnaire, from November 2021 to February 2022. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and Pearson's product-moment correlation. One hundred percent of the participants completed the questionnaires. The participants had a moderate level of self-care behavior (M = 64.54, SD = 7.46). Social support and functional status had medium positive significant correlations with self-care behavior among people at high risk of stroke (r = 0.460 and r = 0.304, p <0.01), respectively. In contrast, illness perception had a small negative significant correlation with self-care behavior among people at high risk of stroke (r = -0.179, p <0.05). Social support, functional status, and illness perception are essential factors of self-care behavior among people at high risk of stroke. The findings shed light that nurses and other healthcare professionals should promote self-care behavior in these people by enhancing them to maintain proper functioning, positive illness-related perception, and family members' involvement. However, further study is needed to determine a causal relationship between these factors with self-care behavior.

Is a Lower Dose of Rivaroxaban Required for Asians? A Systematic Review of a Population Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics Analysis of Rivaroxaban

Rivaroxaban has been widely used to prevent and treat various thromboembolic diseases for more than a decade. However, whether a lower dose of rivaroxaban is required for Asians is still debatable. This review aimed to explore the potential ethnic difference in pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) characteristics between Asians and Caucasians. A systematic search was conducted and twenty-four studies were identified, of which 10 were conducted on Asian adults, 11 on predominantly Caucasian adults, and 3 on Caucasian pediatrics. The apparent clearance (CL/F) of rivaroxaban in Caucasian adults with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (6.45-7.64 L/h) was about 31-43% higher than that in Asians (4.46-5.98 L/h) taking 10~20 mg rivaroxaban every 24 h. Moreover, there was no obvious difference in CL/F among Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Irani people. Regarding PK/PD relationship, prothrombin time was linked to rivaroxaban concentration in a linear or near-linear manner, and Factor Xa activity was linked with the Emax model. The exposure-response relationship was comparable between Asians and Caucasians. Renal function has a significant influence on CL/F, and no covariate was recognized for exposure-response relationship. In conclusion, a lower dose of rivaroxaban might be required for Asians, and further studies are warranted to verify this ethnic difference to facilitate optimal dosing regimens.

Determinants for successful loan credits for older people in Thailand

Aging populations are gradually creating financial distress for governments, and Thailand is no exception. Effective policies for improving elderly welfare must be formulated since the population shift to older age is moving at a faster pace than economic growth. Older people prefer to live actively and independently in order to be less burdensome to their family members and are actively engaged in activities, either voluntarily or because of necessity, even after retirement age. The Thai government initiated a microcredit scheme for eligible older people in order to overcome the difficulty of gaining access to credit. The objective of this research is to explore and evaluate the effectiveness of the Older Persons Fund (OPF) organized by the Thai government to provide seed money for loans to promote active aging in Thailand. Data were collected nationwide using stratified sampling in urban and rural districts from members affiliated with the Older Persons Fund. Structured interviews were conducted with 578 loan recipients. The methodology includes inferential statistics and the multinomial logit choice probabilities model to determine the factors for successful active aging of the loan recipients. The results indicate that the purpose of the loan is a significant factor for a successful outcome. The results also imply that older people provide input into the economy and are not a burden on government expenditure in the long run by promoting active aging projects through microcredit schemes in Thailand.

Association of normal weight obesity with lifestyle and dietary habits in young Thai women: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe risk of lifestyle-related diseases in normal weight obesity (NWO), a condition, in which the body mass index (BMI) is normal but the body fat mass is high, has attracted a lot of attention. However, there are no reports on the association between NWO and lifestyle, eating habits, and other health risks in Thai people. BMI alone cannot be used to identify individuals with NWO; thus, some students with NWO develop metabolic abnormalities without receiving any intervention. This study aimed to examine the differences in anthropometrics, lifestyle, and eating habits among young Thai women and their association with the BMI and the body fat ratio (BFR). MethodsA total of 250 female Thai university students of normal body type (18.5 ≤ BMI<25.0 kg/m2) were classified as having non-normal weight obesity (NO-NWO) if their BFR was <30.0% or NWO if their BMI and BFR were >30.0%. The lifestyle and eating habits of the two groups were compared. We conducted logistic analysis with the presence or absence of NWO as the dependent variable, and the dietary habit items of “eating greasy foods,” “eating ultra-processed foods (UPF),” and “drinking sweetened beverages” as the objective variables. ResultsAmong the study participants who were of normal body type, 46.8% were NWO. The participants in the NWO group consumed UPF more frequently (odds ratio [OR], 2.04; p = 0.014) and sweetened beverages more regularly (OR, 1.92, p = 0.041) than those in the NO-NWO group. ConclusionUPF and sweetened beverage consumption was more common in individuals with NWO. Identifying the risk factors for NWO is essential to help individuals make lifestyle changes to prevent its progression and complications.