Multilevel factors associated with physical activity participation among Thai university students.

This study investigated physical activity (PA) levels in Thai university students and their associated factors at multiple levels. Data of 3,930 university students age ≥18 years analyzed in this study were retrieved from a cross-sectional online survey, namely the ASEAN University Network - Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN) health behavioral survey. The hierarchical generalized linear model considering clustering effects was applied to examine factors associated with sufficient PA across multiple levels. At the individual level, being female, underweight, and overweight had significantly lower odds of having sufficient PA. Sophomores had 22 % greater odds compared with freshmen. Students engaging in 1-3 and 4-6 sports activities had 3 and almost 4 times respectively higher odds of having sufficient PA. Students engaged in >8 h of sedentary time, and consumed adequate amounts of fruit/vegetables had 70 % and 59 % respectively higher odds of having sufficient PA. At the environmental level, students who traveled inactively to/from university, attended a university with private recreational facilities, and a university that adopted the healthy university framework (HUF) had significantly greater odds of having sufficient PA. A majority of university students were sufficiently physically active, despite gender disparity. When promoting PA among them, focus may be targeted at females and sophomores, and consider addressing the number of sports activities engaged, fruit/vegetable consumption, availability of private university recreational facilities, and adoption of the HUF. The results support the implementation of the AUN-HPN HUF, and future initiatives within the country and the wider network for health and PA promotion.

Sexual health literacy and preventive behaviors among middle-school students in a rural area during the COVID-19 situation: A mixed methods study.

Background: This study explored the association between sexual health literacy (SHL) and preventive behaviors of pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among middle-school students during the COVID-19 outbreak to aid in the development of an informative program. Methods: Mixed-method study with stratified two-stage cluster sampling was used to obtain 730 students from 20 middle schools in a rural province of Thailand. Online self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from February 2020 to February 2021. Two brainstorming sessions were conducted with a purposeful sample of 25 stakeholders. Multiple linear regressions were used to assess the relationships. Results: The associated significant factors with the preventive behaviors were sex (b=2.06, 95% CI: 1.07, 3.05), nightlife (b=-2.33, 95% CI: -3.99, -0.67), drinking alcoholic beverages (b=2.24, 95% CI: -3.24, -1.23), sexual intercourse experience (b=-2.64, 95% CI: -4.56, -0.72), and SHL (b=0.12, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.16). The stakeholders recommended an edutainment online program via Facebook. Conclusion: This study investigated factors associated with SHL and preventive behaviors among middle school students. The most effective variable in this model was SHL. Therefore, a trial of an online program emphasizing SHL improvement should be examined for effectiveness among these students and seems appropriate, considering their rural area context and middle-school status.

The clusters of health-risk behaviours and mental wellbeing and their sociodemographic correlates: a study of 15,366 ASEAN university students.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated, through cluster analysis, the associations between behavioural characteristics, mental wellbeing, demographic characteristics, and health among university students in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) University Network - Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN) member universities. METHODS: Data were retrieved from a cross-sectional self-administered online survey among undergraduate students in seven ASEAN countries. A two-step cluster analysis was employed, with cluster labels based on the predominant characteristics identified within the clusters. The 'healthy' cluster was assigned as the reference group for comparisons using multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The analytic sample size comprised 15,366 university students. Five clusters of student-types were identified: (i) 'Healthy' (n = 1957; 12.7%); (ii) 'High sugary beverage consumption' (n = 8482; 55.2%); (iii) 'Poor mental wellbeing' (n = 2009; 13.1%); (iv) 'Smoker' (n = 1364; 8.9%); and (v) 'Alcohol drinker' (n = 1554; 10.1%). Being female (OR 1.28, 95%CI 1.14, 1.45) and being physically inactive (OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.04, 1.39) increased the odds of belonging to the 'High sugary beverage consumption' cluster. Being female (OR 1.21, 95%CI 1.04, 1.41), non-membership in a sports club (OR 1.83, 95%CI 1.43, 2.34) were associated with 'Poor mental wellbeing'. Obesity (OR 2.03, 95%CI 1.47, 2.80), inactively commuting to campus (OR 1.34, 95%CI 1.09, 1.66), and living in high-rise accommodation (OR 2.94, 95%CI 1.07, 8.07) were associated with membership in the 'Smoker' cluster. Students living in The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam had a higher likelihood of being alcohol drinkers, compared with those who lived in Brunei. CONCLUSIONS: ASEAN university students exhibited health-risk behaviours that typically clustered around a specific health behaviour and mental wellbeing. The results provided support for focusing interventions on one dominant health-risk behaviour, with associated health-risk behaviours within clusters being potential mediators for consideration.

Prevalence of Health-Risk Behaviors and Mental Well-Being of ASEAN University Students in COVID-19 Pandemic.

The prevalence of epidemiological health-risk behaviors and mental well-being in the COVID-19 pandemic, stratified by sociodemographic factors in Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) university students, were examined in the research. Data were collected in March-June 2021 via an online survey from 15,366 university students from 17 universities in seven ASEAN countries. Analyzed data comprised results on physical activity, health-related behaviors, mental well-being, and sociodemographic information. A large proportion of university students consumed sugar-sweetened beverages (82.0%; 95%CI: 81.4, 82.6) and snacks/fast food daily (65.2%; 95%CI: 64.4, 66.0). About half (52.2%; 95%CI: 51.4, 53.0) consumed less than the recommended daily amounts of fruit/vegetable and had high salt intake (54%; 95%CI: 53.3, 54.8). Physical inactivity was estimated at 39.7% (95%CI: 38.9, 40.5). A minority (16.7%; 95%CI: 16.1, 17.3) had low mental well-being, smoked (8.9%; 95%CI: 8.4, 9.3), and drank alcohol (13.4%; 95%CI: 12.8, 13.9). Country and body mass index had a significant correlation with many health-risk behaviors and mental well-being. The research provided important baseline data for guidance and for the monitoring of health outcomes among ASEAN university students and concludes that healthy diet, physical activity, and mental well-being should be key priority health areas for promotion among university students.

Promoting Health Literacy to Prevent Depression Among Workers in Industrial Factories in the Eastern Economic Corridor of Thailand.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with depression among workers in industrial factories in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) of Thailand. Additionally, a guidebook was created to evaluate the suitability and appropriateness of the health literacy of the workers to prevent depression. METHODS: This study applied a mixed method from May 2019 to May 2020. Two-stage sampling was used to recruit samples. A total of 416 workers were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. Moreover, 20 stakeholders enrolled in two focus group discussions (FGDs) using a semi-structured interview questionnaire to explore situations and develop a guidebook. Descriptive statistical, multivariable logistic regression, and content analysis were applied to analyze the data. Both quantitative and qualitative data were used in the development of the guidebook, which were further tested and evaluated by interviewing the 20 stakeholders. RESULTS: Depression was found in 17.1% of the workers. Job position (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] = 7.14), hours of online media use (ORadj = 1.87), moody/anxious (ORadj = 5.35), avoiding people (ORadj = 9.12), and self-behavior modification to prevent depression (ORadj = 2.41) were associated with significant depression. The FGDs revealed that stakeholders had blurred perceptions of stress and depression. The sample of industrial factory workers was subjected to workload time constraints but had low level of screening for depression. Online media was used only for working in industries. The guidebook was very interesting and useful for stakeholders and contained definitions and symptoms of depression, self-screening and self-care strategies, consultation and hotline contacts, and health literacy improvement guidelines for factory and health personnel to prevent depression. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that online media and health literacy were imperative factors to address depression among workers in industrial factories. The guidebook was developed based on health literacy and help prevent depression among workers in industrial settings.