Histories, Cultural Contexts, Health Status, Wildlife Contact Characteristics, and Perception Towards COVID-19 of the Urak Lawoi Ethnic Group in Koh Lanta District, Krabi Province of Thailand: A Qualitative Study

Authors

Kanokwan Suwannarong, Center of Excellence for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in Animals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Paisit Boonyakawee, Sirindhorn College of Public Health Trang, Ministry of Public Health, Trang, ThailandFollow
Thanomsin Ponlap, SUPA71 Co., Ltd, Bangkok, Thailand
Kannika Thammasutti, SUPA71 Co., Ltd, Bangkok, Thailand
Phitsanuruk Kanthawee, School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Nisachon Bubpa, Department of Family and Community Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
Chularat Boonyakawee, Krabi Provincial Health Office, Krabi, Thailand
Vittaya Pulkird, Koh Lanta District Health Office, Krabi, Thailand
Junsri Changnum, Sala Dan Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, Krabi, Thailand

Abstract

Background: The Urak Lawoi ethnic group is an indigenous community residing in the Andaman Sea of southern Thailand and are engaged in various activities related to wild animals. This qualitative study was conducted from November 2022 to February 2023 to collect information on wildlife contact characteristics and determine the level of awareness and understanding of zoonotic diseases and COVID-19 risks among this ethnic group in Koh Lanta district, Krabi province.

Methods: This qualitative study collected data through key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). The study respondents included 29 Urak Lawoi village health volunteers (VHVs), To Mo (spiritual healers), sea gypsy sages, community leaders, public health officials, and community members. Content analysis was used to identify key ideas, concepts, and themes in accordance with the study's objectives.

Results: The Urak Lawoi believe that wildlife can be used for traditional medicinal purposes. They reported a lack of knowledge regarding zoonotic diseases that could be transmitted through activities involving contact with wildlife. Their knowledge of COVID-19 prevention and mitigation in their communities was limited due to the novelty of the disease and their lack of prior experience of it. In addition, most reported non-communicable diseases (NCDs), whereas the most frequently reported communicable diseases (CDs) were the common cold and diarrhea.

Conclusions: The findings could suggest that the government and related agencies should prioritize capacity building and community engagement for the Urak Lawoi in this study location by promoting accurate knowledge and healthy practices in zoonotic disease and COVID-19 prevention.

Keywords: COVID-19; Ethnicity; Perception; Urak Lawoi; Wildlife; Thailand

Recommended Citation

Suwannarong K, Boonyakawee P, Ponlap T, et al. Histories, Cultural Contexts, Health Status, Wildlife Contact Characteristics, and Perception Towards COVID-19 of the Urak Lawoi Ethnic Group in Koh Lanta District, Krabi Province of Thailand: A Qualitative Study. J Health Res. 2024; 38(3):-. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56808/2586-940X.1081

References

[1] Hogan DW. Men of the sea: coastal tribes of South Thailand's west coast. Bangkok: Siam Society; 1972.

[2] Granbom AC. Urak Lawoi: A fieldstudy of the original people the Urak Lawoi of the Andaman Sea, Ko Lanta-and the problems they face with rapid tourism development. Sweden: Lund University; 2005.

[3] Reap M, Pornwattanavate S, Thame C, Van der Putten M. The social determinants of health of the Urak Lawoi' of southern Thailand. BMC Public Health. 2020 Feb 6;20(1):197. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-8283-y.

[4] Saunders B, Sim J, Kingstone T, Baker S, Waterfield J, Bartlam B, Burroughs H, Jinks C. Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization. Qual Quant. 2018;52(4):1893-1907. doi: 10.1007/s11135-017-0574-8.

[5] Suwannarong K, Balthip K, Kanthawee P, Suwannarong K, Khiewkhern S, Lantican C, et al. Bats and belief: A sequential qualitative study in Thailand. Heliyon. 2020 Jun 20;6(6):e04208. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04208.

[6] Mihas P. Qualitative research methods: approaches to qualitative data analysis. : International Encyclopedia of Education. 4th ed. Oxford : Oxfrod University Press ; 2023

[7] KrippendorffK. Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology. 4th ed. ed. 4th. Los Angeles : Sage; 2019.

[8] Creswell JW, Poth CN. Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches.4th ed. Los Angeles : Sage; 2018.

[9] OSM ANDAMAN. General Information of Krabi Province 2012. [cited 2023 Aug] Available from: http://www.osmsouth-w.moi.go.th/osm-introduce.php?url=krabi-general&l=th.

[10] Thailand, Krabi Provincial Administrative Organization. Koh Lanta. [cited 2023 Aug]. Available from: https://www.krabipao.go.th/travel/detail/42/data.html.

[11] Thailand, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Koh Lanta District. [cited 2023 Aug]. Available from: https://km.dmcr.go.th/.

[12] Ahoerstemeier. Map of each sub-district Krabi : [Koh Lanta]; 2006.

[13] Thailand, The Bureau of Registration Administration.Statistics of the district population of Krabi Province, Koh Lanta. Thailand : The Bureau; 2023.

[14] Thailand, Krabi Town Municipality. Krabi 43,000 years: Andaman way of life; 2016. [cited 2023] vailable from: http://www.krabicity.go.th/krabicity2/images/stories/pdf/5.56/kampak.pdf.

[15] Suksripaisarn P. The way of life of the Urak Lawoi people in the present, Sang Ka U Village, Koh Lanta District, Krabi Province. Bangkok : Thammasat University; 2016.

[16] Prapruit P. The study of sustainable livelihoods of sea nomads on small-island : a case study of Urak Lawoi on Lipe Island, Thailand. Songkla : Prince of Songkla University; 2015.