EFFECT OF THE PROGRAM TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR TO PREVENT LIVER FLUKE DISEASE AMONG PEOPLE AT RISK IN THE THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER AREA, PHU SING DISTRICT, SISAKET PROVINCE

Abstract

     This quasi-experimental research aimed to examine the effects of a behavior modification program for preventing liver fluke infection among at-risk populations in the Thai–Cambodian border area, Phusing District, Sisaket Province. The sample consisted of 82 participants, divided equally into an experimental group and a comparison group, with 41 participants in each group. The experimental group comprised at-risk residents in the Thai–Cambodian border area of Phusing District, Sisaket Province, while the comparison group consisted of at-risk residents in the Thai–Cambodian border area of Khun Han District, Sisaket Province. The experimental group received the researcher-developed program for a period of 12 weeks, whereas the comparison group received the routine program. Data were collected using questionnaires on two occasions: before and after the intervention, between September 10, 2025, and December 10, 2025. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, median, and the 25th and 75th percentiles. Differences in mean scores between the experimental and comparison groups before the intervention were analyzed using an independent t-test, and post-intervention differences were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05.

     The results showed that before the intervention, the experimental and comparison groups differed significantly in mean scores of perceived barriers at the 0.05 level, while no statistically significant differences were found for the other variables. After controlling for pre-intervention scores, the experimental group had significantly higher mean scores than the comparison group in knowledge about liver fluke disease, attitudes toward disease prevention, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, social support, intention to prevent the disease, self-efficacy, and liver fluke prevention behaviors at the 0.05 level. These findings indicate that the developed behavior modification program was effective in promoting liver fluke prevention behaviors among at-risk populations. The results further suggest that programs designed based on health behavior theories and community context can be appropriately applied to liver fluke prevention in other risk areas with similar characteristics.