ความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างความรู้ด้านสุขภาพ พฤติกรรมการดูแลสุขภาพตนเองและภาวะสุขภาพของพระสงฆ์ อำเภอลี้ จังหวัดลำพูน

Abstract

The objective of this mixed methods research was to determine the relationship between health knowledge, self-care behaviors, and health status of monks in Li District, Lamphun Province. The sample was monks who had been ordained for more than a year. For quantitative research, the data were collected using the questionnaires with 4 sections, including the general information of monks, health status assessment form of monks, health knowledge of monks, and self-care behavior of monks. The 127 samples were randomly chosen by convenience sampling method. For the qualitative research, the data were collected using a structured interview regarding the self-care behavior of monks. Based on the qualifications for the key informant, eight samples of monks were chosen. the content validity and reliability were accessed all aspects of the topic. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics using Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis and chi-square statistics. While the qualitative data were analyzed using induction method. The findings indicated that the most of the monks had high levels of health knowledge and moderate self-care behaviors, and overnutrition (52.7 percent). The majority of them (76.7%) suffer minor stress. There was a statistically significant negative correlation with the nutritional knowledge of monks with waist circumference (r = .194). Health knowledge on stress management was positively correlated with self-care behavior on stress management (r = .207). Additionally, the self-care behavior on stress management was negatively correlated with stress levels (r = .350). The self-care behaviors regarding exercise were negatively correlated with body mass index (r = -.194). The findings for the qualitative study showed that the monks consumed locally produced foods that people prepared at home and seasonal vegetables. Some of the local monks follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Along with receiving food offerings and walking for frequent exercise, they also work inside the temple, clean the courtyard, obtain proper rest, and maintain a clean body. The barriers or problems at the temple have been managed according to Dhamma principles to help the monks who occasionally suffer with stress management. The study's findings reveal the relationship between monks health knowledge, self-care behaviors, and health status. Therefore, the appropriate agencies should promote the physical and mental well-being of monks, educate about health knowledge and conduct actions consistent with Dhamma principles applicable to the monks' routines and local context, and so on. These could improve health status of monks.