Boonrid Prasitnarapun. The relationship between selected factors and food consumption among monks in the northern region of Thailand . Master's Degree(Public Health Nursing). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2004.
The relationship between selected factors and food consumption among monks in the northern region of Thailand
Abstract:
This descriptive research was conducted to examine factors related to food
consumption among monks in the northern region of Thailand. The Pender’s Health
Promotion Model was used to guide this study. The sample consisted of 342 monks
studying at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University: Chiang Mai, Phayao, Phrae
campus and Nakhonsawan, Lamphun college were selected by purposive sampling. Data
were collected by using self-administered questionnaire.
The findings of this study indicated that the monks ate rice, meat and
vegetable according to a nutrition flag 51.1%, 36.8% and 59.9% respectively, but 62.7%
ate a small amount of fruits, about 60.5% ate uncooked meat and 48.8% drank tonic drinks.
About 80.4% washed hands before having a meal. By using weight for height to
evaluate the nutritional status, it was found that 62.9% of the sample was normal
nutritional status, 12.3% was under nutritional status and 25% was over nutritional
status. Chi-square test and Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient revealed
that perceived health status, perceived benefits of and perceived barrier of food
consumption, perceived self-efficacy, interpersonal influences and situational
influences were significantly related to food consumption (p< 0.01). Only perceived
health status, perceived barrier of food consumption, perceived self-efficacy and
situational influences were able to explain about 18.9 percent of the variances in food
consumption.
From the results of this study, the researcher recommends that in order to
promote healthy food consumption among monks in the northern region, a public
health nurse should raise the monk’s self-awareness and self-efficacy regarding
healthy food. In addition, public awareness offering healthy food to monks is of
special concern.