Browsing by Author "Rita Chanviriyavuth"

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    Economic and social impacts of COVID-19 and public health measures: Results from an anonymous online survey in Thailand, Malaysia, the UK, Italy and Slovenia
    (2021-07-20) Anne Osterrieder; Giulia Cuman; Wirichada Pan-Ngum; Phaik Kin Cheah; Phee Kheng Cheah; Pimnara Peerawaranun; Margherita Silan; Miha Orazem; Ksenija Perkovic; Urh Groselj; Mira Leonie Schneiders; Tassawan Poomchaichote; Naomi Waithira; Supa At Asarath; Bhensri Naemiratch; Supanat Ruangkajorn; Lenart Skof; Natinee Kulpijit; Constance R.S. MacKworth-Young; Darlene Ongkili; Rita Chanviriyavuth; Mavuto Mukaka; Phaik Yeong Cheah; Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University; Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman; University Children's Hospital, Ljubljana; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; Azienda Ospedale Università Padova; Univerza v Ljubljani Medicinska Fakulteta; Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia; Nuffield Department of Medicine; University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division; Onkološki Inštitut Ljubljana; Università degli Studi di Padova; Loh Guan Lye Specialists Centre; Science and Research Centre Koper
    Objectives To understand the impact of COVID-19 and public health measures on different social groups, we conducted a mixed-methods study in five countries (a € SEBCOV - social, ethical and behavioural aspects of COVID-19'). Here, we report the results of the online survey. Study design and statistical analysis Overall, 5058 respondents from Thailand, Malaysia, the UK, Italy and Slovenia completed the self-administered survey between May and June 2020. Poststratification weighting was applied, and associations between categorical variables assessed. Frequency counts and percentages were used to summarise categorical data. Associations between categorical variables were assessed using Pearson's χ 2 test. Data were analysed in Stata 15.0 Results Among the five countries, Thai respondents reported having been most, and Slovenian respondents least, affected economically. The following factors were associated with greater negative economic impacts: being 18-24 years or 65 years or older; lower education levels; larger households; having children under 18 in the household and and having flexible/no income. Regarding social impact, respondents expressed most concern about their social life, physical health, mental health and well-being. There were large differences between countries in terms of voluntary behavioural change, and in compliance and agreement with COVID-19 restrictions. Overall, self-reported compliance was higher among respondents who self-reported a high understanding of COVID-19. UK respondents felt able to cope the longest and Thai respondents the shortest with only going out for essential needs or work. Many respondents reported seeing news perceived to be fake, the proportion varying between countries, with education level and self-reported levels of understanding of COVID-19. Conclusions Our data showed that COVID-19 and public health measures have uneven economic and social impacts on people from different countries and social groups. Understanding the factors associated with these impacts can help to inform future public health interventions and mitigate their negative consequences. Trial registration number TCTR20200401002.
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    Evaluation of the Pint of Science festival in Thailand
    (2019-01-01) Bipin Adhikari; Phyu Hnin Hlaing; Matthew T. Robinson; Andrea Ruecker; Noel Hidalgo Tan; Nattapat Jatupornpimol; Rita Chanviriyavuth; Phaik Yeong Cheah; University of Oxford; Mahidol University; Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine; Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SEAMEO SPAFA); Mahosot Hospital
    © 2019 Adhikari et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Background The Pint of Science festival is the biggest annual international science festival. In May 2017, we coordinated the first Pint of Science festival in Thailand and reported our initial reflections. Building on this work, we set out to evaluate more systematically events conducted in 2018. Methods In 2018, we conducted Pint of Science events at four different locations in Bangkok. Overall, there were 18 talks held over six event-days in 2018. We administered 180 self-reported questionnaires as well as conducted 11 semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion with audience members and speakers. Results Of the 180 questionnaires handed out, 125 attendees completed the questionnaire. The majority of attendees came because they were interested in science (68.0%), to learn something new (46.4%) and to enjoy themselves (44.8%). Our qualitative results confirm the quantitative findings. In addition, speakers viewed that they benefited by improving their communication skills and having the opportunity to network with scientists and non-scientists. Speakers also mentioned that such events were a good means to engage with the public, can improve the visibility of their work and potentially attract more funding. To improve the Pint of Science activities, audience members suggested to include a more diverse range of topics, more collaborations with other local research institutions and to hold the event at larger venues. Conclusions We conclude that Pint of Science was well received in Bangkok with recommendations to improve minor issues related to practicalities and logistics.
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    Perspectives on public health interventions in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand
    (2021-01-01) Wirichada Pan-ngum; Tassawan Poomchaichote; Pimnara Peerawaranun; Natinee Kulpijit; Anne Osterrieder; Naomi Waithira; Mavuto Mukaka; Bhensri Naemiratch; Rita Chanviriyavuth; Supa at Asarath; Supanat Ruangkajorn; Noppadon Kannika; Phaik Yeong Cheah; Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University; UCSI University; Mahidol University; Nuffield Department of Medicine; University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division
    Background: Any government needs to react quickly to a pandemic and make decisions on healthcare interventions locally and internationally with little information regarding the perceptions of people and the reactions they may receive during the implementation of restrictions. Methods: We report an anonymous online survey in Thailand conducted in May 2020 to assess public perceptions of three interventions in the Thai context: isolation, quarantine and social distancing. A total of 1,020 participants, of whom 52% were women, responded to the survey. Results: Loss of income was the main concern among respondents (>80% for all provinces in Thailand). Traditional media and social media were important channels for communication during the pandemic. A total of 92% of respondents reported that they changed their social behaviour even before the implementation of government policy with 94% reporting they performed social distancing, 97% reported using personal protective equipment such as masks and 95% reported using sanitizer products. Conclusions: This study showed a high level of compliance from individuals with government enforced or voluntarily controls such as quarantine, isolation and social distancing in Thailand. The findings from this study can be used to inform future government measures to control the pandemic and to shape communication strategies.
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    Social, ethical and behavioural aspects of COVID-19
    (2020-01-01) Phaik Yeong Cheah; Wirichada Pan-ngum; Tassawan Poomchaichote; Giulia Cuman; Phee Kheng Cheah; Naomi Waithira; Mavuto Mukaka; Bhensri Naemiratch; Natinee Kulpijit; Rita Chanviriyavuth; Supa at Asarath; Supanat Ruangkajorn; Margherita Silan; Silvia Stoppa; Gianpiero Della Zuanna; Darlene Ongkili; Phaik Kin Cheah; Anne Osterrieder; Mira Schneiders; Constance R.S. Mackworth-Young; Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; Azienda Ospedaliera Di Padova; Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia; Mahidol University; Nuffield Department of Medicine; Università degli Studi di Padova; Luoghi di Prevenzione
    © 2020 Pan-ngum W et al. Introduction: Vaccines and drugs for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 require robust evidence generated from clinical trials before they can be used. Decisions on how to apply non-pharmaceutical interventions such as quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing and travel restrictions should also be based on evidence. There are some experiential and mathematical modelling data for these interventions, but there is a lack of data on the social, ethical and behavioural aspects of these interventions in the literature. Therefore, our study aims to produce evidence to inform (non-pharmaceutical) interventions such as communications, quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, travel restrictions and other public health measures for the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study will be conducted in the United Kingdom, Italy, Malaysia, Slovenia and Thailand. We propose to conduct 600-1000 quantitative surveys and 25-35 qualitative interviews per country. Data collection will follow the following four themes: (1) Quarantine and self-isolation (2) social distancing and travel restrictions (3) wellbeing and mental health (4) information, misinformation and rumours. In light of limitations of travel and holding in-person meetings, we will primarily use online/remote methods for collecting data. Study participants will be adults who have provided informed consent from different demographic, socio-economic and risk groups. Discussion: At the time of the inception of the study, United Kingdom, Italy, Malaysia, Slovenia and Thailand have initiated strict public health measures and varying degrees of 'lockdowns'; to curb the pandemic. These public health measures will change in the coming weeks and months depending on the number of cases of COVID-19 in the respective countries. The data generated from our study could inform these strategies in real time.