Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that causes cancers of the cervix, anus, vagina, penis, and oropharynx. HPV vaccination prevents HPV types that commonly cause these cancers. HPV vaccines have been approved in Thailand since 2007. However, the vaccination rate remains low, particularly in young people. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the information level regarding HPV infection and vaccination in the younger Thai population, the self-reported vaccination rate, the vaccine intention, and factors affecting the intention. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled a total of 521 undergraduate students (77% female). We used a 34 items self-administered questionnaire (18 questions assessing knowledge level). Results The mean score of knowledge was 7.53 ± 4.95 (total score 18), indicating a low-to-moderate level of knowledge. Female gender and health-related majors were significant factors associated with greater knowledge. The self-reported vaccination rate was 1.9% among only female participants. Only 30.3% of the unvaccinated subjects had the intention to receive the vaccine. The factors affecting vaccine intention were female gender and having knowledge score ≥7. The barriers to HPV vaccination were cost (52.2%), and the perception of no need due to low-risk behavior (45.1%). Conclusion Education programs on HPV infection and vaccination should be included in the curriculum earlier, if possible, since primary school because the vaccine works best before the onset of sexual activity. In university students, the education programs may encourage the sexually inexperienced students to receive the vaccines, as they are still the ideal group for catch-up vaccination. Moreover, parental education is essential, as national vaccination programs usually target younger people. Knowledge sharing by educated people and organizations could enhance the information level in the communities. Consequently, people become aware of primary prevention by vaccination, which may lead to an increase in vaccination rates and eventually decrease HPV-related cancers.

Background: In rural areas of Thailand, physical and verbal abuse are accepted as child discipline strategies due to the strong influence of religious beliefs and social norms. Objective: To investigate the effects of a nonviolent parenting program on subject's knowledge and attitudes regarding physical and verbal abuse in child discipline. Participant: This randomized controlled trial enrolled the villagers who had children under care in a rural area of Thailand. Methods: This study was scheduled in the following three stages with 3-month intervals: before the program (P0); 3 months after the program (P1); and 6 months after the program (P2). We compared knowledge and attitude scores of subjects at each stage. Results: A total of 85 subjects were enrolled in this study: 50.6% (n ¼ 43) in the control group and 49.4% (n ¼ 42) in the intervention group. In the intervention group, the knowledge score increased after the intervention (P1), decreased 3 months later (P2), but was still higher than the score at P0 (p ¼ < 0.001). The attitude score increased after the intervention at P1 and was maintained at P2 (p ¼ < 0.001). In the control group, data did not demonstrate any difference regarding knowledge and attitude toward child discipline. Conclusions: The nonviolent parenting program was effective in increasing knowledge and changing attitudes in this study. The intervention can be applied effectively in rural communities because of its simplicity, ease of use, and no required technology.

Increased visceral fat is associated with an increased mortality rate. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a noninvasive method to assess visceral fat that is easily accessible and avoids exposure to radiation. It is unknown how a visceral fat rating from a noninvasive machine correlates with the serum lipid profile and fasting blood sugar (FBS). The aim of this research is to study the correlation of the visceral fat rating obtained by a noninvasive method with the serum lipid profile and FBS. This cross-sectional study involved 90 obese adults, ranging in age from 18 to 60 years old. The visceral fat rating was measured by BIA. The results demonstrated that significant positive correlations were found between the serum triglycerides and visceral fat rating (r ¼ 0.287, P ¼ 0.006) and between the FBS and visceral fat rating (r ¼ 0.210, P ¼ 0.047). There was a negative correlation between the serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and visceral fat rating (r ¼-0.322, P ¼ 0.002). In conclusion, statistically significant positive correlations were found between the serum triglycerides and visceral fat rating and between the FBS and visceral fat rating, and a negative correlation was found between the serum HDLcholesterol and visceral fat rating.

No abstract