Situation Analysis of Risk Factors Related to Non-communicable Diseases in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Khon Kaen Province during January 1 to June 30, 2008.The aims were to assess: (1) the prevalence of risk factors for chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, bloodpressure; and (2) health behaviour and health education needs. There were 338 sample subjects aged between20-60 years, from urban, semi-urban and rural areas. Some 20.4 % of the sample subjects reported that theywere unhealthy (10.4% diagnosed with hypertension, 9.8% with diabetes, and 0.9% with cancer). For historyof illness in the family, the most common were diabetes (42%), high blood pressure (16.5 %) and cancer (14.8%), and 66.9% reported stress within the last 6 months. In terms of risk behavior, 82.3% of males smokedcigarettes but only 1.9% of females. The respective figures for alcohol were 68.4% and 26.6%. The majority(61.2) had low physical activity (sitting or standing, little movement). Almost one third (32%) reported testingpositive for Opisthorchis viverrini eggs in stool. For health education needs, 64.2%, 54.7% and 42.6% wantedto learn more about cancer, diabetes and hypertension, respectively. For means of health education delivery,31.7% want to learn from medical doctors, 20.4% from TV, 16.3% from village’s broadcasting and 13.6% fromhealth volunteers. Suitable means to delivery health education are needed to convey knowledge to the population.Community health volunteers may be one of the best sustainable alternative methods to transfer knowledge.