title: Situation analysis of risk factors related to non-communicable diseases in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand.
abstract: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Khon Kaen Province during January 1 to June 30, 2008. The aims were to assess: (1) the prevalence of risk factors for chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, blood pressure; and (2) health behaviour and health education needs. There were 338 sample subjects aged between 20-60 years, from urban, semi-urban and rural areas. Some 20.4 % of the sample subjects reported that they were unhealthy (10.4% diagnosed with hypertension, 9.8% with diabetes, and 0.9% with cancer). For history of illness in the family, the most common were diabetes (42%), high blood pressure (16.5 %) and cancer (14.8 %), and 66.9% reported stress within the last 6 months. In terms of risk behavior, 82.3% of males smoked cigarettes but only 1.9% of females. The respective figures for alcohol were 68.4% and 26.6%. The majority (61.2) had low physical activity (sitting or standing, little movement). Almost one third (32%) reported testing positive for Opisthorchis viverrini eggs in stool. For health education needs, 64.2%, 54.7% and 42.6% wanted to learn more about cancer, diabetes and hypertension, respectively. For means of health education delivery, 31.7% want to learn from medical doctors, 20.4% from TV, 16.3% from village's broadcasting and 13.6% from health volunteers. Suitable means to delivery health education are needed to convey knowledge to the population. Community health volunteers may be one of the best sustainable alternative methods to transfer knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. supannee@kku.ac.th
authors.forename: Supannee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Promthet
authors.forename: Kesinee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saranrittichai
authors.forename: Supot
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamsa-ard
authors.forename: Wiporn
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Senarak
authors.forename: Patravoot
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vatanasapt
authors.forename: Surapon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wiangnon
authors.forename: Prasert
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wongphuthorn
authors.forename: Malcolm A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012907:Smoking; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology