CPH Communities for this Semester:
**Our main change in community visits this semester: They will be topic-based. Under the previous construct, we chose communities only based on the idea of having one urban, one rural, and one semi-urban/semi-rural community. Ajaan Toon and I have re-evaluated the criteria for choosing communities, and we believe it is more important to send students to communities based on the issues they are facing. We also want to expand our definition of what a community is beyond simple geography. Here are our ideas:
1.) *Chronic Disease Focus: this can be done in nearly any community around Khon Kaen. This focus should remain a constant for every semester as chronic diseases (especially DM2, CVA/strokes, and coronary artery disease) are- and will remain- the most prevalent diseases in Thailand.
Potential topics for the other 2 community visits:
2.) Occupational health in Bahn Samran/Gai Na
--Students can talke in the evening with faculty workers.
--Possible sub-topics:
--Ergonomics: This is Ajaan Toon's area of research.
--Environmental conditions: Dust, wastewater pollutants (arsenic)—from fishnet and/or medical instruments/supplies factories. Also, the fishnet factory creates noise and heat, and rodents present health risks for workers.
3.) Thai Traditional Medicine: Namphong Hospital make herbs and massage, research other possible venues.
4.) Home for children with HIV/AIDS: see the site below:
http://www.mercy-international.com/ProjectsKhonKaenHome.html
5.) Education in primary schools: research sex education and health education measures
6.) Ajaan Banchob/Liver Fluke: He has express a lot of interest in working with CIEE students. He even sent one of his colleagues, John F. Smith, to meet with me to discuss how students could contribute to his community work. John F's email is <[email protected]>. There is room for students to work on Aj Banchob's research on liver fluke. His team does research in the communities and bench research along with educational initiatives in communities affected by liver fluke.
7.) "Camping" at Srinagarind: Patients' families often sleep over at Srinagarind to stay with their families because they often travel long distances. They have certain insights into health: caregiver strain, perspective on the Thai healthcare system, story of their loved one's illnesses. We are also going to encourage students to use/modify standardized questionnaires to collect data. This way, they become familiar with commonly used and validated questionnaires, but they should be encouraged to modify the questions to meet their goals.
Students could use a standardized questionnaire from one of the following sources:
--Thai Happiness Questionnaire
--WHO QOL Questionnaire
--Correlation b/w waiting times and happiness
--Mental health, depression questionnaires already in use
--KKU nutrition department
This stay at Sringarind could also lend to Isaan Record story. Karen Welker would be the main contact for this. I have already preliminarily discussed this possibility with her. Her email is: [email protected].
8.) **There is much room for overlap with DG on community visits in the future. (This could also include work with health effects of mining-- occupational and environmental.)
More Notes about Community Visits: The length of stay in the communities will remain about the same. We will also try to work with Faculty of PH members who have ongoing projects in communities so that students can build on their work. Community visits are scheduled close together at the end of the course due to Ajaan Toon's availability. (Contact Ajaan Toon for the most recent version of the Fall 2014 semester calendar.)
1.) *Chronic Disease Focus: this can be done in nearly any community around Khon Kaen. This focus should remain a constant for every semester as chronic diseases (especially DM2, CVA/strokes, and coronary artery disease) are- and will remain- the most prevalent diseases in Thailand.
Potential topics for the other 2 community visits:
2.) Occupational health in Bahn Samran/Gai Na
--Students can talke in the evening with faculty workers.
--Possible sub-topics:
--Ergonomics: This is Ajaan Toon's area of research.
--Environmental conditions: Dust, wastewater pollutants (arsenic)—from fishnet and/or medical instruments/supplies factories. Also, the fishnet factory creates noise and heat, and rodents present health risks for workers.
3.) Thai Traditional Medicine: Namphong Hospital make herbs and massage, research other possible venues.
4.) Home for children with HIV/AIDS: see the site below:
http://www.mercy-international.com/ProjectsKhonKaenHome.html
5.) Education in primary schools: research sex education and health education measures
6.) Ajaan Banchob/Liver Fluke: He has express a lot of interest in working with CIEE students. He even sent one of his colleagues, John F. Smith, to meet with me to discuss how students could contribute to his community work. John F's email is <[email protected]>. There is room for students to work on Aj Banchob's research on liver fluke. His team does research in the communities and bench research along with educational initiatives in communities affected by liver fluke.
7.) "Camping" at Srinagarind: Patients' families often sleep over at Srinagarind to stay with their families because they often travel long distances. They have certain insights into health: caregiver strain, perspective on the Thai healthcare system, story of their loved one's illnesses. We are also going to encourage students to use/modify standardized questionnaires to collect data. This way, they become familiar with commonly used and validated questionnaires, but they should be encouraged to modify the questions to meet their goals.
Students could use a standardized questionnaire from one of the following sources:
--Thai Happiness Questionnaire
--WHO QOL Questionnaire
--Correlation b/w waiting times and happiness
--Mental health, depression questionnaires already in use
--KKU nutrition department
This stay at Sringarind could also lend to Isaan Record story. Karen Welker would be the main contact for this. I have already preliminarily discussed this possibility with her. Her email is: [email protected].
8.) **There is much room for overlap with DG on community visits in the future. (This could also include work with health effects of mining-- occupational and environmental.)
More Notes about Community Visits: The length of stay in the communities will remain about the same. We will also try to work with Faculty of PH members who have ongoing projects in communities so that students can build on their work. Community visits are scheduled close together at the end of the course due to Ajaan Toon's availability. (Contact Ajaan Toon for the most recent version of the Fall 2014 semester calendar.)
Past Semesters:
Lawa Lake Communities - This wetland area consists of several villages surrounding Lawa Lake, which is about 60 kilometers south of Khon Kaen. Liver fluke infection and subsequent bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) are endemic to this area. Dr. Banchob (from the Tropical Disease Research Laboratory at KKU) and his research team conduct extensive field and laboratory research and community education initiatives to combat this problem. Fall 2013 marked CIEE students’ first visit.
Research and Intervention
2013
Fall semester students extensively researched safety practices of motorcycle drivers and riders. They observed the speed and age of over 700 motorcycle riders and administered corresponding questionnaires to study the perceptions of Lawa residents regarding road safety practices. They discovered that the youth are at risk for road traffic accidents and, thus, planned to educate them about road safety by creating a safety video featuring community youth. This video was distributed to community stakeholders (teachers, administrators, village health volunteers, police, etc.) along with pamphlets created to present their findings in a meeting. Additionally, they installed a convex mirror at a dangerous intersection in the village.
· Fall semester students researched prevention for diabetes among community members using several approaches to determine the diabetes prevalence, perceptions around the disease, and local health resources to address the issue. Their methods included 60 semi-structured interviews with villagers, observing the weekly diabetes clinic at the village’s health-promoting hospital (HPH), and conducting interviews with the patients and healthcare providers at this clinic. Finally, they conducted a focus group with local village health volunteers (VHVs). From their research, they found that most villagers had a limited understanding of the causes of diabetes. Thus, they held a workshop with village health volunteers, diabetic patients, and community members on risk factors for contracting the disease, reading nutrition labels, and eating a well-balanced diet. They also held an aerobics class.
Thahin Village (Beung Niam Sub-District) - Thahin is a small, semi-rural village within Beung Niam sub-district containing 99 households and approximately 500 people. It is located in the outskirts of Khon Kaen. Some of their principle health problems include pesticide-related illness (from farming and unwashed vegetables), diabetes, respiratory problems, hypertension, muscle strains (labor), dengue hemorrhagic fever, and headaches. Farming is very important to this village, but nearly all of the farms are located outside of the village center. Thahin is situated very close to a HPH, and the VHVs play a very large role in the community and are extremely generous with their time. There is also an organic farm/demonstration garden beside the HPH. The village also contains a “Palace of the Fish” where you can feed the fish in the river.
Research and Intervention
2012
· Spring students researched dietary habits in the Bung Tsim village. They mainly focused on learning more about use of MSG and intake of iodine and oils by villagers. To address community overuse of MSG, insufficient iodine intake, abundant pesticide use, and reuse of fried oils, students designed an interactive education session and som tam making competition.
· Fall students researched pesticide use in the community. They extensively studied the practices of pesticide use and the perceptions around its health effects. They, then, planned a brief education session with VHVs on properly washing produce to avoid chemical impacts on health. Students also created a poster and pamphlet to educate community members and farmers about negative health impacts of chemical agriculture and to propose protective measures.
2013
· Spring students’ research revealed that adolescent females in the community needed and were requesting further education about relevant health topics. As a result of their findings from questionnaires and focus group discussions, students planned and facilitated an educational session on menstrual health for adolescent females in the community.
· Fall students’ research revealed community members’ limited knowledge of risk factors for obesity. Students designed an educational session on portion sizing and healthy cooking to reduce salt, sugar, MSG, and fat.
Kok Si Village (Tambon Ban Kaw) - This is a semi-rural village located in the Tambon Ban Kaw sub-district outside of Khon Kaen. The Faculty of Public Health at KKU conducts research in the field of environmental and sanitary health in this and surrounding communities. Fall 2013 marked CIEE students’ first visit.
Research and Intervention
2013
· Fall students researched knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions on diabetes within the community. To address community concerns, they created pamphlets and posters to educate individuals aged 45 and above on nutrition and risk factors for type 2 diabetes and led exercises for community members.
· Fall students learned that the local municipality does not offer waste management services to the Kok Si community. After researching waste disposal practices within the community, they designed a workshop to increase community involvement in waste management by educating on proper disposal and organizing a community clean up.
Theparak - Theparak consists of 5 slum communities located along the railroad tracks in downtown Khon Kaen. Past student involvement has revealed that most residents are freelance scavengers, shopkeepers, factory workers, or drivers. While VHVs play a smaller role in these communities, in the past they have stated that diabetes and hypertension are the biggest health problems in the community, but prostitution and substance abuse are also significant problems for youth and young adults. Other community issues besides health problems include: struggles for land rights, differing political views, insufficient water supply for some houses, lack of community cohesiveness, flooding, and decreased access to electricity because of land ownership issues. Health education is provided in schools for diet and nutrition, and the privately run “Harvest Family Center” also looks after teenagers and provides sex education. Most people use contemporary medicine, but some use traditional medicine. For medical care, they typically go to the Mitraphap Health Center.
Research and Intervention
2012
· Fall students researched the health knowledge of community scavengers by administering nearly 100 questionnaires in the community and observing their work practices. As a result of their findings, they held an educational workshop for scavengers on health risks of their profession, first aid instruction, and proposed behaviors to protect themselves from injury or disease. Students also organized a village cleaning day with scavengers and community members to improve overall community sanitation practices.
Mitraphap - The Mitraphap community, an urban slum located at the heart of Khon Kaen, sits at the crossroads of the railroad, Central Plaza mall, and the local bus station. This site, consisting of 198 households, faces similar struggles to those of the Theparak communities. The village headman is Paw Ooh.
Research and Intervention
2013
· Through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, spring semester students conducted extensive research into the primary health problems affecting children in this community. After analyzing their findings and partnering with local health resources, they held an educational session on children’s health basics, including personal sanitation and hand-washing, teeth brushing, and identifying common health problems. Students partnered with the local library and the Mitraphap Health Center, increasing community members’ awareness of local health resources.
Lao Nadee – Fall 2013 marked CIEE students’ first visit to Lao Nadee community, built on one street along the Khon Kaen railroad tracks south of Central Plaza mall. The village headman is Paw Boontan. The community of 151 households recently (late 2013) received official recognition and is now legally allowed to rent their land from the government and receive directly routed electricity and water. Community members are most often laborers, market workers, and company employees. Common health problems include dengue fever, the common flu, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. There are seven village health volunteers among the community.
Research and Intervention
2013
· Fall students researched the community’s perception of its health status measured against the five pillars of sanitation. After partnering with the Faculty of Fine Arts at KKU, students then designed a session to address proper waste disposal in the community, including a trash pick up and painting 10 trash cans with community youth.
· Fall students researched community members’ eating and shopping habits, and designed an educational session focused on making healthy snack choices, portion control, nutritional balance, and meal planning.
Lawa Lake Communities - This wetland area consists of several villages surrounding Lawa Lake, which is about 60 kilometers south of Khon Kaen. Liver fluke infection and subsequent bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) are endemic to this area. Dr. Banchob (from the Tropical Disease Research Laboratory at KKU) and his research team conduct extensive field and laboratory research and community education initiatives to combat this problem. Fall 2013 marked CIEE students’ first visit.
Research and Intervention
2013
Fall semester students extensively researched safety practices of motorcycle drivers and riders. They observed the speed and age of over 700 motorcycle riders and administered corresponding questionnaires to study the perceptions of Lawa residents regarding road safety practices. They discovered that the youth are at risk for road traffic accidents and, thus, planned to educate them about road safety by creating a safety video featuring community youth. This video was distributed to community stakeholders (teachers, administrators, village health volunteers, police, etc.) along with pamphlets created to present their findings in a meeting. Additionally, they installed a convex mirror at a dangerous intersection in the village.
· Fall semester students researched prevention for diabetes among community members using several approaches to determine the diabetes prevalence, perceptions around the disease, and local health resources to address the issue. Their methods included 60 semi-structured interviews with villagers, observing the weekly diabetes clinic at the village’s health-promoting hospital (HPH), and conducting interviews with the patients and healthcare providers at this clinic. Finally, they conducted a focus group with local village health volunteers (VHVs). From their research, they found that most villagers had a limited understanding of the causes of diabetes. Thus, they held a workshop with village health volunteers, diabetic patients, and community members on risk factors for contracting the disease, reading nutrition labels, and eating a well-balanced diet. They also held an aerobics class.
Thahin Village (Beung Niam Sub-District) - Thahin is a small, semi-rural village within Beung Niam sub-district containing 99 households and approximately 500 people. It is located in the outskirts of Khon Kaen. Some of their principle health problems include pesticide-related illness (from farming and unwashed vegetables), diabetes, respiratory problems, hypertension, muscle strains (labor), dengue hemorrhagic fever, and headaches. Farming is very important to this village, but nearly all of the farms are located outside of the village center. Thahin is situated very close to a HPH, and the VHVs play a very large role in the community and are extremely generous with their time. There is also an organic farm/demonstration garden beside the HPH. The village also contains a “Palace of the Fish” where you can feed the fish in the river.
Research and Intervention
2012
· Spring students researched dietary habits in the Bung Tsim village. They mainly focused on learning more about use of MSG and intake of iodine and oils by villagers. To address community overuse of MSG, insufficient iodine intake, abundant pesticide use, and reuse of fried oils, students designed an interactive education session and som tam making competition.
· Fall students researched pesticide use in the community. They extensively studied the practices of pesticide use and the perceptions around its health effects. They, then, planned a brief education session with VHVs on properly washing produce to avoid chemical impacts on health. Students also created a poster and pamphlet to educate community members and farmers about negative health impacts of chemical agriculture and to propose protective measures.
2013
· Spring students’ research revealed that adolescent females in the community needed and were requesting further education about relevant health topics. As a result of their findings from questionnaires and focus group discussions, students planned and facilitated an educational session on menstrual health for adolescent females in the community.
· Fall students’ research revealed community members’ limited knowledge of risk factors for obesity. Students designed an educational session on portion sizing and healthy cooking to reduce salt, sugar, MSG, and fat.
Kok Si Village (Tambon Ban Kaw) - This is a semi-rural village located in the Tambon Ban Kaw sub-district outside of Khon Kaen. The Faculty of Public Health at KKU conducts research in the field of environmental and sanitary health in this and surrounding communities. Fall 2013 marked CIEE students’ first visit.
Research and Intervention
2013
· Fall students researched knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions on diabetes within the community. To address community concerns, they created pamphlets and posters to educate individuals aged 45 and above on nutrition and risk factors for type 2 diabetes and led exercises for community members.
· Fall students learned that the local municipality does not offer waste management services to the Kok Si community. After researching waste disposal practices within the community, they designed a workshop to increase community involvement in waste management by educating on proper disposal and organizing a community clean up.
Theparak - Theparak consists of 5 slum communities located along the railroad tracks in downtown Khon Kaen. Past student involvement has revealed that most residents are freelance scavengers, shopkeepers, factory workers, or drivers. While VHVs play a smaller role in these communities, in the past they have stated that diabetes and hypertension are the biggest health problems in the community, but prostitution and substance abuse are also significant problems for youth and young adults. Other community issues besides health problems include: struggles for land rights, differing political views, insufficient water supply for some houses, lack of community cohesiveness, flooding, and decreased access to electricity because of land ownership issues. Health education is provided in schools for diet and nutrition, and the privately run “Harvest Family Center” also looks after teenagers and provides sex education. Most people use contemporary medicine, but some use traditional medicine. For medical care, they typically go to the Mitraphap Health Center.
Research and Intervention
2012
· Fall students researched the health knowledge of community scavengers by administering nearly 100 questionnaires in the community and observing their work practices. As a result of their findings, they held an educational workshop for scavengers on health risks of their profession, first aid instruction, and proposed behaviors to protect themselves from injury or disease. Students also organized a village cleaning day with scavengers and community members to improve overall community sanitation practices.
Mitraphap - The Mitraphap community, an urban slum located at the heart of Khon Kaen, sits at the crossroads of the railroad, Central Plaza mall, and the local bus station. This site, consisting of 198 households, faces similar struggles to those of the Theparak communities. The village headman is Paw Ooh.
Research and Intervention
2013
· Through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, spring semester students conducted extensive research into the primary health problems affecting children in this community. After analyzing their findings and partnering with local health resources, they held an educational session on children’s health basics, including personal sanitation and hand-washing, teeth brushing, and identifying common health problems. Students partnered with the local library and the Mitraphap Health Center, increasing community members’ awareness of local health resources.
Lao Nadee – Fall 2013 marked CIEE students’ first visit to Lao Nadee community, built on one street along the Khon Kaen railroad tracks south of Central Plaza mall. The village headman is Paw Boontan. The community of 151 households recently (late 2013) received official recognition and is now legally allowed to rent their land from the government and receive directly routed electricity and water. Community members are most often laborers, market workers, and company employees. Common health problems include dengue fever, the common flu, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. There are seven village health volunteers among the community.
Research and Intervention
2013
· Fall students researched the community’s perception of its health status measured against the five pillars of sanitation. After partnering with the Faculty of Fine Arts at KKU, students then designed a session to address proper waste disposal in the community, including a trash pick up and painting 10 trash cans with community youth.
· Fall students researched community members’ eating and shopping habits, and designed an educational session focused on making healthy snack choices, portion control, nutritional balance, and meal planning.