Perceptions and health behaviors toward avian influanza among backyard poultry farmers at Suantaeng sub-district, Muang district, Suphan Buri province

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions and health behaviors toward Avian Influenza among backyard poultry farmers at Suantaeng Sub-District, Muang District, Suphan Buri Province. Backyard poultry farmers (n = 172) were recruited by simple random sampling. The data were collected from July 2007 to August 2007. Perceptions and health behaviors were analyzed as number, percentage, levels and relationship by Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. The results were illustrated; 1) The samples' perceptions were at a moderate level 72.7%, with a range from 34.3 to 40.1 scores (Mean = 37.2, S.D. = 2.9). 2) The samples' health behaviors were at a fair level 70.3%, with a range from 13.3 to 18.7 scores (Mean = 16.0, S.D. = 2.7). 3) There was no significant relationship between perceptions and health behaviors (r = 0.1, p = 0.2). These findings suggest that the Ministry of Public Health should be implemented to develop preventive health behavior guidelines toward Avian Influenza such as "how to; avoid touching secretion of native chicken; raise safely free range mode and use the chop (avoid to use the same chop)".