Report of “Education of Global Medical and Health Science Leaders in theComing Generation in Cooperation and Collaboration with ASEANCountries”
Graduate School of Health Science, Kobe University
Nishino Kana

1.

Introduction
This report summarizes my experience of the exchange program during thesession 2016 October 1st to November 30th in Mahidol University, Thailand.
By attending this program, I achieved my purposes to learn about publichealth, especially Thai older adults living in community.

2.

Program overview
Participate term: October 1 2016〜November 30 2016
City/Country: Bangkok/Thailand
Host university: Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University

3.
3.1.

Studying in Thailand
Environment to promote health

1) Food habit
I was surprised because I can always find vegetables and fruits sold at low
cost. However oily food, sugary sweets and drinks are more popular. For example,students love sugary coffee and sweets on their brake. When students and teachers havemeeting, they eat sweets and sugary coffee. When I visited the Health Promotion
Center, I found a lot of posters to promote change food habits like from fried omelets toboiled egg, sugar drinks to water, and so on. Thai people can choose healthy eating
habits easily; however, it depends on individuals.
To promote healthful environment will be more necessary for Thai people. I
found most people ordered vegetable dishes in Chinese festival, which people avoid

animal food to invoke and welcome the Nine Emperor Gods, from the respects ofreligious. Thai people also love new thing. I heard the coffee-brake culture started
because of Star Bucks opened. So promoting new fashionable healthy culture will help
easily to create healthful food habits.
2) Traffic jam
Many traffic jams occur every day causing air pollution and accident injuries
and fatalities.

World Health Organization (WHO) argues the risk of air pollution as

health issue. The air pollution Bangkok reached critical levels because of urbanization.
To improve prevention to air pollution, we need to promote to eliminate idling and use
masks for motorcyclists, people who control traffic, homeless people, pedestrians, street
vendors and their customers. Thailand also face road injury and deaths. Most passengers
on motorcycles wear no helmet or protective gear. Most drivers don’t stop forpedestrians. I wonder why police don’t regulate traffic more strictly.
3.2.

Education

1) Community nursing program
Undergraduate nursing students learned about community in Public Health
Office (PHO). Nurses who belong to various sectors taught their own majors. Some ofthem told their experience and let students understand well. Students also visit PHO andcommunity hospital. These lectures using senses like listening Nurse’s talking,observing NS’s movements, touching equipment and so on, help students to understandwell.
Master course students focus on one community in their practice. First, theywalked around, interview community members and map the community to assess local
health problems. After that, they conduct health education and discuss solutions withcommunity members. They can continuously build relationships with community
members because they keep in contact and support them.
When I visited community with students, they enjoyed activity with community
members and eating lunch together. The close relationships improve the effectiveness ofhealth activities. The strength point of this fieldwork by students could benefit for theboth of community members and students can benefit. Community members also canget knowledge to tackle health problem in the community from the students.

2) Collaborative research with International institutions
Mahidol University has many collaborations with international institutions.
The University constantly invites professors from the other institutions to provide
academic lectures and also dispatch many students to overseas universities every year.
The students who join the exchange program must take lectures from native English
teacher before study abroad. The libraries in the University have a lot of latest
international journals from various majors. Students freely can read and borrow them.
This learning environment might be help students gain international knowledge.
3.3.

Aging and community health1) Statement of older adults
I found three points about situation of Thai older adults through visiting andinterviewing with community members. First, the reason why community members
participate in senior clubs or community activities included following the King’sphilosophy, earning money, promoting health and so on. Second, families who live witholder adults always take care of them and neighbors watch out them when they go out.
Last, most of older adults find it difficult to join the activities because of limited
mobility and hard working.
2) The key of social capital in communities
My research interest is the relationship between social capital and health ofThai older adults. Social capital is one of the key social resources and is considered to
be a social determinant for developing health promotion.
I found four keys of social capital for older adults from the fieldwork. First,Buddhism and King’s philosophy based on the community support. One of the Buddhist
practices, tum boon, promote donation system such as funeral group and shareequipment. Every month, community members pray in temple as a Buddhist day. It
naturally promotes people to participate in the community activities and recognition ofbelonging to their community. King’s philosophy addressed the importance ofrelationship between families and the community. These concepts improve themotivation to support others. Second, “Happiness” means to live with their family, keep
active, earn by themselves, make friends and so on. To achieve these concepts, olderadults need to go outside, communicate with others and join the activities. It promotes
them to access social networks in the community. Third, the relationships amongneighbors are very close and easy to support. Neighbors know each other well. Whenolder adults take a walk, neighbors keep a watch on them to prompt support them. Last,
the motivate of local government affect directly. The motivation for community
development is decreasing because of less cooperation between local government andcommunity people. The well controlled of drag abuse related to safety of community.
3.4.

Projects for community development

1) Royal project
The Royal Project has contributed to community development and publichealth. Former King Bhumibol had conducted more than 3000 Royal Projects toimprove the lives of Thais and brought them a genuine and lasting happiness based on“Sufficiency Economy (sethakid phoo phiang)“. This project targeted seven categories:
agriculture, environment, public health, employment promotion, water resources,communication and public welfare. The King visited each community including in bothurban and rural area. He assessed the community problems and tackled them. Creating
the economic foundation boosted the income of poor people. Improving infrastructure
has decreased the risk of natural disasters. His ideas were explained at schools andpassed down to posterity. It helps Thais well understanding “Sufficiency Economy” andpublic health well. Royal family has contributed to many aspects of public health.
2) One Tambon, One Product (OTOP)OTOP helps community develop from economy aspects. OTOP is a local
business stimulus program. It encourages village communities to improve the local
products’ quality and marketing, selecting one superior product from each tambon toreceive formal branding as its star OTOP product. Older people can earn money bythemselves. It promotes active aging because older adults can participate in social
activity as a worker. OTOP brings more income and promote activities in community.
4.

Conclusion
My main purpose of participating was to learn about public health, especiallyhealth promotion of Thai older adults living in the community. I visited community andinterviewed with older adults. These experiences helped me deeply understandcommunity health and aging.
Unfortunately, I experienced very sad events that King Bhumibol Adulyadej
passed away 13 October 2016. I learned what he did for the Thais and understood thereason why Thai people loved King so much. Now Thais exhibited a deep sadness andobvious depression posing a serious health issue in Thailand. The Thai economy also
faces uncertainly. On 1 December 2016, new king acceded to the throne. I hope the King’s
philosophy, such as unity, sustainability, and balance, will be educated continuously andpromoted to next generation. I hope Thai people will recover from deep sadness.
Finally, I really appreciate everyone who supported in this program and me.