•  
  •  
 

Abstract

Background: Buddhist monks are considered a vulnerable population in terms of health; however, their health-seeking behaviors (HSB), and associated factors remain underexplored in Thailand. This study aims to investigate HSB and its determinants among Thai Buddhist Monk.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and March 2023 using a self-administered questionnaire. Stratified random sampling was applied. The questionnaire was based on an established HSB model. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with HSB across different levels of illness severity.

Results: A total of 385 monks surveyed, most preferred popular health care for mild illnesses and professional care for moderate to severe conditions. Age ≥ 60 years, non-Thai, general monastic position, Dharma and Pali religious education, had health insurance, and one underlying disease were significant factors associated with HSB in mild illness scenarios. Monks residing in non-royal temples, living in rural districts, earning < 5,000 baht/month, had 1 underlying disease, and social support score were significant factors associated with HSB in moderate illness scenarios. For severe illness scenarios, monks residing in non-royal temples, earning < 5,000 baht/month, never had a health check-up, and perceived health score were significant factors related to HSB.

Conclusion: HSB among Thai Buddhist monks vary by illness severity. Improving access to professional health services, particularly for monks in rural areas, non-royal temples, and low-income groups, alongside enhancing health literacy, is essential to promote appropriate health service utilization.

Keywords: Health service, Health-seeking behavior, Monk, Thailand

Additional Files
Supplementary file_DONE.docx (73 kB)

References

[1] Kuppako D. Buddhism in Thai life: Thai model for ASEAN. Mahachula Acad J 2016;3(1):138-58.

[2] Srimantayamas V, Fongkaew W, Suksatit B, Aree P, Kosachunhanun N. Health behaviors and health-related quality of life among Buddhist monks with metabolic syndrome. Pacific Rim Int J Nurs Res 2020;24(2):159-71.

[3] Payutto PA. THAI BUDDHISM in the Buddhist world. [cited 2023 May 20]. Available from: https://www.watnyanaves.net/uploads/File/books/pdf/thai_buddhism_in_the_buddhist_world.pdf.

[4] Kamkokgruad T, Chatthongpisut R, Intajarurnsan S. Nutritional value of popular foods offered to monks by Thai Buddhists. Naresuan University Journal: Sci Technol 2019;27(1):32-43. https://doi.org/10.14456/nujst.2019.4.

[5] Angkatavanich J, Ariyapitipan T, Wisetrit W, Prasoptham J, Phanphanit D. The nutritional problems among Thai monks: findings from the “Healthy Thai Monks” project. 1st ed. Bangkok, Thailand: Panyamit Printing; 2016.

[6] Norasigha P, Navaphongpaveen K, Piyaaramwong P. Prevalence and associated factors of metabolic syndrome in Buddhist monks at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, Thailand. J Med Health Sci 2018;25(2):21-9.

[7] Thailand, National Health Security office [NHSO]. Empower Buddhist monks to bridge up the gap in Thai healthcare access. [updated 2020 Sep 17; cited 2023 May 20]. Available from: http://eng.nhso.go.th/view/1/home/Empower-Buddhist-monks-to-bridge-up-the-gap-in-Thai-healthcareaccess/214/EN-US.

[8] Tansakul C. Food consumption behavior and self-care of monks in Thawi Watthana District Bangkok. Thai Journal of Public Health 2017;44(1):55-62.

[9] Thailand, Ministry of Public Health. Department of medical services. Annual report [cited 2025 Jul 2]. Available from: https://www.priest-hospital.go.th/pdf/2566/mobile/index.html

[10]Wuttisaksakul K. Factors related to health behaviors of monks in Fang district, Chiangmai. J Nurs Assoc Thailand Northern Off 2018;24(1):71-83.

[11]Kleinman A, Eisenberg L, Good B. Culture, illness, and care: Clinical lessons from anthropologic and cross-cultural research. Ann Intern Med 1978;88(2):251-8. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-88-2-251.

[12]Daniel WW. Biostatistics: a foundation for analysis in the health sciences. 6th ed. New York: Wiley & Sons; 1995.

[13]Brook RH. Essentials of psychological testing. 3rd ed. New York: Harper & Row; 1979.

[14]House JS. Work stress and social support. Reading, Mass: Addison-Wesley; 1981.

[15]Best JW. Research in education. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall; 1981.

[16]Poortaghi S, Raiesifar A, Bozorgzad P, Golzari SE, Parvizy S, Rafii F. Evolutionary concept analysis of health seeking behavior in nursing: A systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res 2015;15:523. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1181-9.

[17]World Health Organization [WHO]. Ageing and health. [cited 2023 Sep 20]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health.

[18]Cohen PT, Lyttleton C, Phatcharanuruk T. Western and traditional medicine in India, Myanmar and Thailand: Engagement and contestation. Sojourn J Soc Issues Southeast Asia 2022;37(2):262-89. https://doi.org/10.1355/sj37-2c.

[19]Fõrat Kõlõç H, Arifoglu B, Kõzõlkaya N. The relationship between successful aging and health literacy in older adults. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2023;2023:1462914. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1462914.

[20]Liu L, Qian X, Chen Z, He T. Health literacy and its effect on chronic disease prevention: Evidence from China's data. BMC Public Health 2020;20(1):690. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08804-4.

[21]Sukrueangkul A, Vannarit T, Boonsoi P, Autsri P. Factors predicting health promoting behaviors among Buddhist monks in Chiang Rai province. Nurs J CMU 2017;44(Suppl.2):38-48.

[22]Aye SKK, Hlaing HH, Htay SS, Cumming R. Multimorbidity and health seeking behaviours among older people in Myanmar: A community survey. PLoS One 2019;14(7):e0219543. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219543.

[23]Simieneh MM, Mengistu MY, Gelagay AA, Gebeyehu MT. Mothers' health care seeking behavior and associated factors for common childhood illnesses, Northwest Ethiopia: community based cross-sectional study. BMC Health Serv Res 2019;19(1):59. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-3897-4.

[24]Siewchaisakul P, Sarakarn P, Nanthanangkul S, Longkul J, Boonchieng W, Wungrath J. Role of literacy, fear and hesitancy on acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among village health volunteers in Thailand. PLoS One 2022;17(6):e0270023. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270023.

[25]Haileamlak A. What factors affect health seeking behavior? Ethiop J Health Sci 2018;28(2):110. https://doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v28i2.1.

[26]National Health Commission Office. The National Sangha Health Charter B.E. 2566. Nonthaburi: Vuttiwat Printing; 2024.

Download

Share

COinS