SELF–HEALTH CARE BEHAVIOR OF NOVICE IN THE PHRAPARIYATTIDHAMMA SCHOOLS IN THE NORTHERN OF THAILAND

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to investigate the self-care behavior of the novice and to suggest of self-care behavior development. A sample of 416 novices in the Junior High School of Phrapariyattidhamma  Schools which was model of Novice Health Promotion Center, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae and Lampang provinces. The instrument used the consumption behavior questionnaires, exercise and emotional behavior (behavior 3 model). Data were analyzed by individual pair t-test, frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and t-test were statistically analyzed at .05. 

The results showed that the novice self-care behaviors were at moderate level (49.5%, 51.7%), the level of improvement should be improved (46.6%, 46.4%). Comparison of mean scores of the 1st and 2nd times was not significantly different (mean) 1.57, Std.Deviation .568). The higher self-care behaviors were the avoidance of alcoholic beverages, improve of the eating habits of 5 groups (rice, vegetables, fruits, meat, milk), drink milk skim milk 1-2 times a day, eat boiled and steaming foods, avoid desserts and sweets with a lot of sugar, drink purified water instead of soft drinks or nectar, and exercise 30 minutes a day. The nutritional status of the novice with body mass index (BMI) showed that obesity increased (27.7% and 30.1%), weight compared with height was also similar (26.7% and 31.9%), height relative to age, most of them had higher (78.6 and 91.1 percent). Physical fitness test showed that most of the novice students did not pass the criterion and had higher tendency (67.3% and 82.2% respectively).  The non-passing criterion was strength and endurance (51.2% and 61.1%). Non-qualified novices of 38 % found that their health care behaviors were at an improvement, level of 41% found moderate behavior.

The results of this study clearly show that novices have poor self-care behaviors. This research suggests that 1) the concerned agencies should supervise and strengthen the novice's health and health care behaviors at a good level  2) to reduce the risk of obesity, all personnel in the organization as well as people in the community have the knowledge, skills, nutrition and exercise in accordance with the concept of ๓ model (food, exercise and emotion), and see the importance to jointly promote the health of the novices as a whole.