General Health Status of Thai Monks Living in Bangkok Metropolitan Temples
Sirivongs P, MD1, Tangjitgamol S, MD2, Sornda K, MNS3, Kamsom A, MSc (Public Health)3
Affiliation : 1 Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand 3 Section of Research, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To assess general health status of Thai Monks living in the temples in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area and its influencing
factors.
Materials and Methods : This cross-sectional survey study was conducted from September 2017 to November 2017. The monks
who lived in temples in in Dusit and Nong Chok districts of Bangkok were invited into the study. The monks who consented to
participate in the study filled out a questionnaire which queried about personal and health data before undergoing physical
examination and basic laboratory investigation. Data of general health and factors which may affect health were collected and
analyzed.
Results : A total of 214 monks consented to participate in this study. The mean age was 43.7+18.29 years (51.9% aged 40 years and
over). Good habit of food consumption was found in 56.7% whereas the overall daily physical activity was 75 minutes (range, 33
to 300 minutes). Concerning the negative influence, 51.9% reported alcohol/liquor drinking before entering into the monkhood
whereas 50.9% had ever been smoking with a median of 5 pack-years (range, 0.05 to 64.0 pack-years) lifetime tobacco exposure.
Approximately 93% reported one or more medical illnesses or symptoms of their concern. Physical examination revealed slightly
51.2% were overweight or obese. Systolic and diastolic pressure >130 mmHg and >85 mmHg were found in 43.5% and 30.9%,
respectively. Among the basic laboratory investigations, dyslipidemia was most frequently found (79.5%) followed by elevated
fasting blood sugar (31.9%). High to severe degree of stress was demonstrated in 29.3%.
Conclusion : The monks living in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area had suboptimal health status, with 93% reporting personal
illnesses or complained of symptoms about their health. Factors which may affect their health were history of drinking, ever
smoking, low physical activity, overweight or obesity, dyslipidemia, high fasting blood sugar and stress. The monks and the related
health sectors should have awareness to prevent or to reduce the negative habit and abnormal health conditions.
Keywords : Thai monk, Urban area, General health
