The results of Development of Surveillance and Health Promotion model for Monks by Lifestyle Medicine in Nong khai Province.

Abstract

     The study titled “Outcomes of Developing a Surveillance and Health Promotion Model for Buddhist Monks Using Lifestyle Medicine in Nong Khai Province” employed action research consisting of three phases. The objectives were: (1) to examine the situation and problems in surveillance and health promotion for Buddhist monks in Nong Khai Province; (2) to develop a surveillance and health promotion model for Buddhist monks using lifestyle medicine; and (3) to compare outcomes before and after the implementation of the model. The study was conducted with all monks residing in every temple in Nong Khai Province between February and July 2025. Data collection tools included the Desirable Health Behavior Questionnaire for Monks (Department of Health, 2025), the Depression Screening Questionnaire (2Q) (Department of Mental Health, 2022), and individual monk health surveillance and promotion records. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum) and inferential statistics (Paired t-test) to compare monks’ health behaviors.

     The results revealed that: (1) desirable health behaviors of monks improved in all aspects. Specifically, behaviors related to tooth brushing, sleeping, drinking plain water, and consumption of carbonated beverages significantly improved after the intervention at the 0.05 level of statistical significance. However, behaviors concerning physical activity, consumption of energy drinks, tea/coffee, fresh fruits and vegetables, and smoking showed no statistically significant differences; (2) depressive symptoms among monks improved in all aspects. A comparison of mean depression scores using the 2Q tool before and after implementation showed statistically significant improvement at the 0.05 level in both indicators: feeling down, depressed, or hopeless, and lack of interest or pleasure in activities; (3) body weight, blood sugar level (finger-prick), and blood pressure improved significantly after the intervention at the 0.05 level, while height, body mass index (BMI), and prevalence of chronic diseases showed no significant differences.