Nongkran Viseskul

Readiness for self-directed learning among nursing students in Thailand.

This study took place in Thailand where didactic and lecture-driven teaching styles are beginning to transform into student-centered methods. At Chiang Mai University Faculty of Nursing in Thailand, the readiness of 272 undergraduate students to undertake self-directed learning was investigated using two instruments: a demographic data questionnaire and Guglielminos Self Directed Learning Readiness Scale. The study found that the overall self-directed learning readiness of participants was at a high level in the categories of openness to learning opportunities, self-concept as an effective learner, initiative and independence in learning, informed acceptance of responsibility for ones own learning, creativity, and the ability to use basic study and problem-solving skills. The findings provide encouragement to nurse educators to further apply self-directed learning in nursing courses, to improve teaching and learning methods, and promote life-long learning for nurses within Thailand and elsewhere.

Verifying Quantitative Stigma and Medication Adherence Scales Using Qualitative Methods among Thai Youth Living with HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS-related stigma has been linked to poor adherence resulting in drug resistance and the failure to control HIV. This study used both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine stigma and its relationship to adherence in 30 HIV-infected Thai youth aged 14 to 21 years. Stigma was measured using the HIV stigma scale and its 4 subscales, and adherence was measured using a visual analog scale. Stigma and adherence were also examined by in-depth interviews. The interviews were to determine whether verbal responses would match the scale’s results. The mean score of stigma perception from the overall scale and its 4 subscales ranged from 2.14 to 2.45 on a scale of 1 to 4, indicating moderate levels of stigma. The mean adherence score was .74. The stigma scale and its subscales did not correlate with the adherence. Totally, 17 of the respondents were interviewed. Contrary to the quantitative results, the interviewees reported that the stigma led to poor adherence because the fear of disclosure often caused them to miss medication doses. The differences between the quantitative and the qualitative results highlight the importance of validating psychometric scales when they are translated and used in other cultures.

Effects of Internet-based Instruction on HIV Prevention Knowledge and Practices among Men Who Have Sex with Men

HIV infection is increasing among men who have sex with men. In this study, the effects of Internet-based instruction on HIV-prevention knowledge were evaluated. The sample consisted of 162 men-who-have-sex-with-men volunteers in Thailand. The research instruments included a demographic data questionnaire, a knowledge test, and an HIV preventive practice questionnaire. The participants completed these instruments upon entry to the study and four months later. After entry to the study, the participants were given access to a previously-developed Internet-based instruction on HIV risk behaviors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-test. After accessing the Internet-based instruction, the average score of HIV-prevention knowledge among the sample increased significantly, from 11.17 to 15.09 (maximum score of 20 points). The average score of practicing HIV prevention among the sample increased significantly, from 62.94 to 76.51 (maximum score of 99 points). This study demonstrated that Internet-based instruction was effective in improving HIV-prevention knowledge and practices among men who have sex with men. This suggests that Internet-based instruction could be developed for use in other countries and evaluated in a similar way.

Factors Related to Sexual Self-Efficacy among Thai Youth Living with HIV/AIDS.

Studies of sexual behavior among HIV-infected Thai youth show conflicting results due to the different ages of the respondents. This study examined the relationships between sexual self-efficacy and risk behaviors among 92 HIV-positive Thai youth aged 14 to 21 years. A questionnaire previously validated in Thailand measured sexual self-efficacy. There were low levels of sexual activity with 13 respondents having sex in the last 6 months. The sexual self-efficacy scales were inversely related to the risk behaviors of having sex, having multiple partners, and drinking alcohol in the last 6 months. The scores of the sexual self-efficacy scale and its subscales were significantly lower in those aged 17 to 21 than in 14 to 16. Sexual risk behaviors were significantly higher in those aged 17 to 21 than in 14 to 16. These findings suggest that interventions to increase sexual self-efficacy should be emphasized as HIV-infected Thai youth reach late adolescence.

Developing a web site for human immunodeficiency virus prevention in a middle income country: A pilot study from Thailand

The Internet has often been used to reach men who have sex with men (MSMs) in developed countries. However, its use has not been as widespread in middle income countries because of a perceived lack of access to the web by residents of these countries. However, over half of the Internet users in the world now live in middle income countries. This article describes the development of web-based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention program that can serve as a model for middle income countries. Thai nursing faculty worked with MSMs to create and evaluate a Web site that provided HIV prevention messages directed toward MSMs. The steps for creating the site are described. Forty-one MSMs used the site and provided feedback to the site developers. The group was young (median=19 years), low income (median income was ∼170 US

Developing an Electronic Logbook to Monitor the Progress for International Doctoral Students in Thailand: A Pilot Study

per month). The users demonstrated that they had access to the Internet and that they could utilize the site. They also reported moderate-to-high levels of satisfaction with site design, content, ease of use, information obtained, and benefits obtained from using the site. A previous article in the Thai language also showed that they reduced risk behaviors. They also made many useful suggestions for improving the content of the site. In conclusion, the study showed that the combination of nurses and MSMs from a middle income country could develop a usable HIV prevention Web site that instructed and changed behavior.

Role model behaviors of nursing faculty members in Thailand.

This was a descriptive research aiming at investigating the quality of life of the Royal Thai Navy College of Nursing’s (RTNCN) personnel. There were 325 samples which were from the executives, nursing instructors, supporting staff and nursing students in the academic year 2014. The research tool was the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment (WHOQOL - BRIEF - THAI) and the reliability of which was tested using the Cronbach’s Alpha with the result at 0.91. The statistics applied in this study were descriptive statistic. The results were as follows: 1) The Quality of Life in the aspects of physical health, psychological state, environment and overview of Quality of Life were mainly at moderate level (66.77, 54.77, 45.54, 75.38 and 57.85 percent respectively); and 2) Analyzing the Mean, it was found that QOL in all aspects of the personnel was at moderate level.