The sustained and holistic health care program for the priests Commemoration of His Majesty the King's 60 Years Accession to the Throne (first phase: February to June 2006)

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the health status and risk factors of the priests in 28 temples in central Bangkok.

Material and method: Recruiting priests to answer health related questionnaire, then screening by laboratory testing and physical examination. Finally, setting an appointment to the specialists for consultation and special investigation in the suspected and abnormal cases.

Results: In all the priests and novices, 64.8% were healthy, 17.74% were asymptomatic cases with risk factors, and 17.47% had clinical diseases that require treatment.

Conclusion: Since almost 35 % of the priests and novices in central Bangkok have some health problems and health risks, providing periodic physical check up and basic laboratory test for the priests is a compulsory measure to fulfill the requirement of the health promotion policy and be a productive and effective Buddhist successor.