Health Status and Health Behaviors Among Dairy Farmers in Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

          This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to investigate the health status and health behaviors of dairy farmers in Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province. The sample size was calculated, and simple random sampling was employed to collect data from 45 dairy farmers using questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, were used to analyze the data.

          The findings revealed that the majority of the sample were female (60.00%), mostly aged 41 years and older (73.33%), with an average age of 51.20 years (S.D. = 14.70), ranging from a minimum of 15 years to a maximum of 81 years. Fifty-five point five six percent (55.56%) had completed at least lower secondary education, 71.11% were married, and 62.22% had at least 11 years of experience in dairy farming, with an average of 18 years (S.D. = 11.50). Sixty-four point four four percent (64.44%) earned less than 30,000 baht, 32 individuals (71.11%) had no pre-existing medical conditions, and 29 individuals (64.44%) had undergone a health check-up in the past year, while as many as 35.56% had not received an annual health check-up.

          Overall, health status fell predominantly within a moderate level (64.45%), followed by low risk (31.11%) and high risk (4.40%), respectively, with the moderate level health status corresponding to an average score of 2.71 (S.D. = 0.61). Overall health care behaviors were mostly at a low risk level, with an average score of 2.24 (S.D. = 0.38). With regard to risk level, the majority (53.3%) were at low risk, followed by moderate risk (46.7%).