THE GUIDELINES FOR PROMOTING MONK’S HEALTH IN DAN KHUN THOT DISTRICT, NAKHON RATCHASIMA PROVINCE

Abstract

The purposes of this research were 1) to investigate the problems of health promotion among monks in Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province and 2) to find ways to promote the of health monks in Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed. For the quantitative research, the population included 776 monks in Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The samples consisted of 254 monks. The sample size was determined according to Taro Yamane’s table using a stratified random sampling method. The research instrument was a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, including mean, percentage, and standard deviation were employed  for data analysis. As for qualitative research, the target group was 19 monks/people, who were purposively selected from monks, individuals, and related agencies. The research instrument was an interview form, and data were analyzed by content analysis.

The problems of health promotion among monks in Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province were as follows: 1) food consumption, including consumption of food with high fat ( =4.75, S.D. =3.219), pork belly curry, pork stewed in gravy ( =4.58, S.D. =.820), and fried food ( =4.56, S.D. =.807), and 2)exercise, including walking for too long per week ( =4.77, S.D. =.929), lifting heavy objects ( = 4.60, S.D. =1.027), and walking up and down ( =4.53, S.D. =1.008).

The guidelines for promoting the health of monks in Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province can be presented as follows. 1) In terms of food consumption, monks should choose to eat food that is beneficial and appropriate for their age. They should avoid food that is fatty, spicy, salty, sweet, or very spicy. 2) Regarding exercise, it involves walking for alms, sweeping the temple grounds, mopping the prayer hall, lifting heavy objects that are appropriate for their physical condition, and walking up and down less to maintain good health and reduce the risk of various diseases.