Abstract:
This cross-sectional analytical survey aims to study the utilization of knowledge of Thai traditional and herbal medicines in primary health care services in Chachoengsao province. The purposes are to survey associating factors, measuring levels, testing relationships, and determining the impact of related factors on utilizing behavior of primary healthcare providers. Results of this study could be used as empirical evidence for evaluation policy result of promoting Thai traditional medicines in primary health care service, and recommendations for improving behavior in utilizing Thai and herbal medicines. Participants were 198 primary healthcare providers, and data collection was done through a questionnaire. A total of 96 % of the questionnaire was returned from all 11 districts in Chachoengsao province with 118 healthcare units. Statistical analysis included frequency, percentage,mean, standard deviation, Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression analysis. The odds ratio was used to find the strength of association with a 95% confidence interval. Factors which had association and influence on utilizing behavior, with a statistically significant difference were: 1) perception of benefits from Thai traditional medicine; 2) acceptance factor of traditional Thai and herbal medicine philosophy as an alternative to conventional medicine; 3) personal factors: 20-29 years of age, job position as healthcare providers, prior training in Thai traditional and herbal medicines, and direct personal experiences in Thai traditional medicines application. The result of the policy on primary health care providers indicated that the perception of the benefit of Thai traditional medicines was at a high level, but utilizing behavior, accepting herbal medicine, perception of obstacles, and having direct experiences in Thai traditional and herbal medicine were at a medium level. The recommendations to improve the behavior in utilizing Thai and herbal medicines are: to provide training for various positions among healthcare providers, especially those who are 20-29 years old, lay a foundation of thinking according to rational Thai traditional knowledge, blend with usefulness and philosophy, create guideline as an alternative, and encourage personal experience by consuming fresh food and herb, promoting herbal medicine for health safety on reducing side effects from pharmaceutical products and reducing expenses in a long term.