Ethical issues in research involving minority populations: the process and outcomes of protocol review by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand.

Background: Recruiting minorities into research studies requires special attention, particularly when studies involve "extra-vulnerable" participants with multiple vulnerabilities, e.g., pregnant women, the fetuses/neonates of ethnic minorities, children in refugee camps, or cross-border migrants.

Knowledge, attitudes, and acceptability of a human papilloma virus vaccine among students, parents and teachers in Thailand.

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes about human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer, and the acceptability of HPV vaccine among students, parents and teachers in secondary schools in Bangkok, Thailand. We conducted a school-based cross-sectional study at four public secondary schools in Bangkok. A total of 644 students aged 12-15 years, 664 parents and 304 teachers were recruited into the study.

Social factors related to quality of life among HIV infected children in ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the social factors and quality of life of HIV infected children attending the Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinic, Sappasithiprasong Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand. Data were collected during October-November 2008, by interviewing caretakers and their children using a structured questionnaire. The children's families were in need of improved social support (84.

Migrants and malaria risk factors: a study of the Thai-Myanmar border.

The objective of this study was to investigate factors influencing self-reported malaria among migrants living along the Thai-Myanmar border. Songkaria Village, with 1600 inhabitants and 290 households in Sangkhla Buri District, Kanchanaburi Province, was selected for the study due to its intense malaria transmission. One hundred twenty-five households were randomly selected.

Knowledge, attitudes, and acceptability of a human papillomavirus vaccine among healthcare providers.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate acceptability, knowledge, and attitude regarding HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccine among healthcare providers working in hospitals located in Bangkok, Thailand. Two hundred nurses and 100 doctors from three government hospitals and one private hospital were recruited. Data collection was done using a self-administered questionnaire.

Treatment-seeking behaviors and improvement in adherence to treatment regimen of tuberculosis patients using intensive triad-model program, Thailand.

The aims of this study were to determine tuberculosis patients' treatment-seeking behaviors, to describe knowledge of TB among TB patients, how that knowledge affected their treatment-seeking behaviors, and to develop an appropriate model to strengthen the existing DOTS program. A cross-sectional study was conducted in all government TB clinics in Samut Prakan Province, Thailand during November 2005-May 2006. The triad model, which emphasizes the role of a triad of persons (the healthcare provider, the TB patient, and his/her treatment supporter), can improve patient adherence to TB treatment regimen.

Gender differences in KAP related to HIV/AIDS among freshmen in Afghan universities.

This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the level of knowledge, perception/ attitude, and practices related to HIV among 1,054 freshmen students in four Afghan universities differences between genders. A probability, two stage sampling method was used. Data were collected by a self administered structured questionnaire.

Avian influenza protection knowledge, awareness, and behaviors in a high-risk population in Suphan Buri Province, Thailand.

Avian influenza (Al) had outbreaks in Thailand from January 2004 to December 2005, which resulted in 22 human cases, and 14 deaths. Three confirmed cases were reported in Suphan Buri Province in 2004, one of whom died. A cross-sectional study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices about AI in Song Phi Nong District of Suphan Buri Province.

Causal relationship between health promoting behavior and quality of life in cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the causal relationships among age, education, family income, and stage of carcinoma, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, health promoting behavior and quality of life in patients with cervical cancer. Pender's Health Promotion Model (1996) provided a guide for the conceptual framework of this study. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit 488 cervical cancer patients who were undergoing radiotherapy at seven public hospitals in five areas of Thailand.

Community-based approach for prevention and control of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand.

An action research design was conducted in two villages of Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province to assess the effectiveness of a community-based approach program. Knowledge, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and regular larval survey behavior were measured for program outputs. Container Index (CI), House Index (HI), and Breteau Index (BI) were used to confirm program outcomes.

Reduction of low back muscular discomfort through an applied ergonomics intervention program.

An applied ergonomics intervention program (AEIP) was conducted with male employees who work in the pressing and storage sections of a metal auto parts factory in eastern Thailand. The objective of this study was to reduce worker muscular discomfort at the low back. The study design was a participatory research approach, with quasi-experimental pretest-posttest, and with a non-equivalent control group.

The association between environmental factors and tuberculosis infection among household contacts.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the association between environmental factors and tuberculosis infection among household contacts aged less than 15 years in Bangkok, Thailand, between May and December 2003. During the study period, 480 household contacts aged under 15 years were identified. The prevalence of tuberculosis infection among household contacts was 47.

An ergonomics intervention program to prevent worker injuries in a metal autoparts factory.

An ergonomics intervention program (EIP) was conducted with male employees working in the pressing and storage sections of a metal autoparts factory in Samut Prakan Province, Thailand. The objectives of this study were to assess the causes of injuries in the pressing and storage sections of that factory, and to improve working conditions by reducing worker injuries from accidents and low back muscular discomfort, using an EIR The study design used a participatory research approach which was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest evaluations, with a non-equivalent control group. A total of 172 male participants working in Building A were the target group for assessing causes of injury.

Factors associated with the household contact screening adherence of tuberculosis patients.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore factors associated with the adherence of tuberculosis patients in bringing their household contacts to a TB clinic in Bangkok, Thailand. During the study period, May to December 2003, 325 sputum-smear-positive tuberculosis patients were recruited into the study. Of the 325 eligible tuberculosis patients, 169 (52.

Spectrophotometric determination of plasma and red blood cell cholinesterase activity of 53 fruit farm workers pre- and post-exposed chlorpyrifos for one fruit crop.

We sought to investigate the early biological effects of chlorpyrifos among 53 Thai fruit farm workers by measuring the plasma cholinesterase (PChE) and red blood cell cholinesterase (AChE) activities, a biomarker of organophosphate (OPs) pesticide during one fruit crop. The ChE activity (V(m)/K(m)) was spectrophotometrically analyzed before and after exposing to chlorpyrifos. The V(m)/K(m) values of both non-spraying and spraying seasons are found as normal distribution pattern.

Risk factors for tuberculosis infection among household contacts in Bangkok, Thailand.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis infection and risk factors for tuberculosis infection among household contacts aged less than 15 years in Bangkok, Thailand, between August 2002 and September 2003. During the study period, 342 index cases with sputum smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients were recruited into the study and their 500 household contacts aged under 15 years were identified. The prevalence of tuberculosis infection among household contacts was found to be 47.

Simultaneous determination of trans, transmuconic acid and s-phenylmercapturic acid by high pressure liquid chromatography and its application.

The simultaneous determination of urinary trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) and S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) was performed by liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) on a Hypersil-ODS column using the gradient mobile phase of methanol and 0.0012 N perchloric acid and diode array detection at 205 and 264 nm for S-PMA and t,t-MA, respectively. The retention times for t,t-MA and S-PMA were 3.

Health seeking behavior among insured persons under the Social Security Act, 1990.

Since having health insurance cannot guarantee access to care among the insured persons, their actual health seeking behavior should be evidence reflecting true access. Therefore, the study aimed to present the patterns of health seeking behavior among the insured persons who actually were able to get free services from their registered hospitals under the Social Security Scheme. Purposive sampling was done of 1,003 insured persons who were willing to participate in the study from small, medium and large establishments in the Huai Khwang district in Bangkok.