Journal of Vongchavalitkul university

Relationships between Associated Factors and Licensure Examination Outcomes among Nursing and Midwifery Graduates of Vongchavalitkul University

2025-04-06T12:43:48+07:00

Objective: To examine the relationship between factors associated with the results of the national licensing examination for professional nurses and midwives among graduates of the Faculty of Nursing, Vongchavalitkul University.

Methods: This correlational study involved 107 graduates of the Bachelor of Nursing Science program, Faculty of Nursing, Vongchavalitkul University, from the 2023 academic year, who registered for the first round of the national licensing examination for professional nurses and midwives in 2024. Data were collected using a two-part questionnaire: (1) general information and examination results, and (2) factors related to examination results. Instrument validity was verified by assessing content validity (Scale Content Validity Index [S-CVI] = .99), and reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha (α = .93). Data were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient at a significance level of .05.

Results: Participants had a mean age of 23.49 years (SD = 1.58) and an average cumulative GPA of 3.06 (SD = 0.35). The mean score toward attitude was high (X̄ = 4.29, SD = 0.32), while examination preparation was moderate (X̄ = 2.81, SD = 0.51). The institutional review session was also rated high (X̄ = 4.15, SD = 0.52), as was support from peers, family, and instructors (X̄ = 4.33, SD = 0.48). Statistically significant factors associated with licensure examination outcomes included cumulative GPA (rs = .305, p < .01) and comprehensive examination scores (rs = .384, p < .01).

The findings indicate that students with stronger academic performance and foundational knowledge are more likely to succeed in the licensure examination. Therefore, educational institutions should prioritize strengthening students’ academic foundations and implementing effective knowledge review programs to enhance examination success.

Roles, Needs, and Participation of Stakeholders in Student Health Promotion: A Case Study from Thai-Cambodian Border Communities

2025-07-01T17:42:38+07:00

Objective: To examine the roles, needs, and participation approaches of stakeholders in school health promotion programs in the Thai-Cambodian border community.

Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design was employed with 50 participants from five stakeholder groups: healthcare personnel, teachers, parents, community leaders, and Buddhist monks (10 participants per group). Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis, while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Triangulation was employed for validation, and data integration followed the ACTIVE framework.

Results: Stakeholders exhibited distinct yet complementary roles. Healthcare personnel provided services and health education, requiring integrated surveillance systems (90%). Teachers managed health education and student care, requiring culturally appropriate learning materials (95%). Parents served as primary caregivers, requiring accessible health information (90%). Community leaders coordinated and mobilized resources, requiring clear structural mechanisms (85%). Buddhist monks provided spiritual guidance and raised health awareness, requiring integration of health messages into religious activities (85%). Four participation strategies emerged: (1) multi-sectoral networks at sub-district level (92%), (2) integrated communication systems (88%), (3) culturally-responsive health activities (85%), and (4) monitoring and evaluation frameworks (90%).

Conclusion: Effective school health promotion in Thai-Cambodian border communities requires integrated stakeholder participation through culturally-appropriate mechanisms. This study presents an evidence-based framework for developing sustainable health promotion interventions in similar cross-cultural border contexts.

The Effect of a 30-Day Early Childhood Development Stimulation Program on the Knowledge and Behavior of Caregivers of Children with Suspected Delays Developmental, Kanchanaburi Province

2025-07-15T11:30:09+07:00

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of a 30-day early childhood developmental stimulation program for children identified with suspected developmental delays on caregivers’ knowledge and caregiving behaviors.

Methods: A quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design was employed. Participants consisted of 130 caregivers of early childhood children aged 9 months to 5 years who attended a well-child clinic at a hospital in Kanchanaburi Province for developmental screening and were identified as having suspected developmental delays requiring intervention within 4 weeks. The study was conducted between January and February 2025. Research instruments included an early childhood developmental stimulation program developed based on Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy and the Developmental Surveillance and Promotion Manual (DSPM), as well as a questionnaire assessing caregivers’ knowledge and behaviors regarding child developmental stimulation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation), and paired t-test was used to compare pre- and post- intervention scores.

Results: The study found that the majority of caregivers were female (83.08%), with a mean age of 43.63 years (SD = 10.16; Min = 24, Max = 64). Nearly half of them (46.92%) were mothers of preschool-aged children. The highest educational attainment for 36.92% of caregivers was a diploma, while 32.31% were employed as company staff. Following participation in the two-week early childhood developmental stimulation program, caregivers’ knowledge scores regarding the promotion of early childhood development across five developmental domains significantly increased (Mean diff. = 6.35; 95% CI = 6.02–6.67; p < 0.001). Similarly, their behavioral scores in stimulating early childhood development across the same five domains showed a significant improvement (Mean diff. = 33.57; 95% CI = 32.41–34.73; p < 0.001).

Development of a Field Epidemiology Training Program for Students in The Epidemiology Program at The Field Epidemiology Training Center, Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 9 Nakhon Ratchasima Province

2025-12-02T10:33:29+07:00

Objectives: This research aimed to develop a field epidemiology training model for students enrolled in the Epidemiology Program at the Field Epidemiology Training Center, Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 9, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

Methods: This Research and Development (R&D) study was conducted between 2023 and 2025, consisted of three phases. Phase: 1 involved an assessment of existing field training conditions and evaluation of previous training program implementation. Phase: 2 focused on developing the training model based on experiential learning theory, integrated with workforce development concepts and a competency-based framework. Phase: 3 involved pilot implementation and evaluation of the developed model. Purposive sampling was used to select three participant groups: 16 Master of Science students in Epidemiology, two instructors, and three training personnel. Research instruments included document review forms, evaluation forms, satisfaction questionnaires, performance rubrics, and portfolios. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

Results: The developed training model had a four-week duration and was structured according to Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle, consisting of four iterative stages: Concrete Experience, Reflective Observation, Abstract Conceptualization, and Active Experimentation. The model covered 7 core competencies. All trainees met the evaluation criteria (100%), with mean scores of 75.00 for knowledge and skills and 73.03 for attitudes. Overall satisfaction with the training program was rated at the highest level across all dimensions. The main strengths of the training model included strong support from the Health Region 9 network, the availability of competent mentors, and opportunities for practice in real-world situations. Identified areas for improvement included increasing the number of mentors and extending the training duration.

Conclusion: The Field Epidemiology Training Model Developed in this study demonstrated high effectiveness in enhancing the students’ competencies and promoting the integration of theoretical knowledge into professional practice. Critical success factors included expert mentorship and strong collaboration with local health networks. This training model can be adapted to other contexts and serves as a prototype for the further development of field epidemiology training programs in Thailand.

A Feasibility Study of Solar Photovoltaic Systems in University Buildings under the ESG Framework

2025-12-09T09:03:02+07:00

The deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in university buildings represents a critical component of the transition toward sustainable campus energy management. Grounded in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework, this study aims to comprehensively assess the feasibility and performance of a rooftop PV system at a university in China. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including PVsyst-based energy simulation, a structured questionnaire survey (n = 486), and multiple linear regression analysis. The simulation results estimate an annual electricity output of 773,503 kWh, corresponding to a reduction of 603.33 tons of CO₂ emissions. Survey data reveal a generally high level of user satisfaction, with statistically significant gender differences observed in perceptions of resource conservation (p = 0.033). Regression analysis identifies electricity usage time as the most influential factor affecting consumption (β = 0.692, p < 0.001). The findings underscore the environmental and social benefits of PV implementation in university contexts, while also highlighting the necessity of data-driven governance strategies to enhance energy efficiency and system sustainability.

Development of an IoT-based Temperature Monitoring and Display System for Cocoa Bean Fermentation

2025-12-09T08:37:04+07:00

Objectives: This study aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a real-time temperature monitoring and display system for cocoa bean fermentation using Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The system was designed to address the limitations of traditional manual temperature measurement, which relies heavily on labor, provides low measurement frequency, and lacks continuous monitoring capability throughout the fermentation process. The goal was to create a practical and accurate solution appropriate for community-based cocoa producers seeking to improve process control and product quality.

Methods: The developed system consisted of nine DS18B20 temperature sensors installed at the geometric center of each fermentation bin. The sensors were connected to an ESP32 microcontroller, which transmitted data via Wi-Fi to an IoT platform for continuous recording and visualization at 15-minute intervals over a 7-day fermentation cycle. Field experiments were conducted at the “Kon Rak Cocoa” community enterprise in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The accuracy of the IoT system was validated by comparing it with manual measurements, and the economic performance was assessed based on reductions in labor demand, operating costs, and overall payback period.

Results: The system successfully recorded temperature data continuously with an accuracy of ±0.5 °C and demonstrated strong agreement with traditional manual measurements (R² > 0.97). Temperature profiles indicated that the fermentation mass reached the optimal temperature range of 45–48 °C on days 4–6, aligning with previous studies on flavor precursor formation in cocoa fermentation. Economically, the system reduced labor requirements from three workers to occasional system supervision, resulting in annual savings of approximately 160,000 THB, a reduction in total production costs by about 10%, and a payback period of only 1.9 months. These findings demonstrate that the IoT-based system enhances measurement reliability, improves process control, reduces labor dependency, and offers strong potential for upgrading community-level cocoa fermentation through digital and smart-agriculture technologies.

Effects of Distance Metrics on Unequal-Area Facility Layouts under Predefined Aisle Constraints: An Experimental Study

2025-11-20T16:08:33+07:00

Objectives: Unequal-area facility layout problems under predefined aisle constraints are common in real manufacturing systems; however, most existing studies assume equal-area departments or unconstrained travel paths. This creates a research gap regarding how distance metrics affect layout quality when department sizes vary, and travel must follow actual aisles. Therefore, this study aimed (1) to examine the effects of search distance metrics (Rectilinear, Pathway, and Euclidean) and levels of department area heterogeneity (Space) on layout quality when performance is evaluated by total travel distance along actual aisles (Pathway distance), and (2) to compare the best layouts obtained from each metric and Space level through cross-evaluation to derive practical guidelines for selecting distance metrics in facility layout problems with predefined aisle constraints.

Methods: Four benchmark quadratic assignment problems (Nug12, Nug16a, Nug20, and Nug24) were modified to represent unequal-area layouts using three Space levels (20–40, 20–60, and 20–80 m²). For each problem–Space combination, facility layouts were generated using a Genetic Algorithm under three search distance metrics, with 30 independent runs per setting. Layout performance was evaluated using the total material-handling distance calculated by the Pathway distance metric. The results were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance with factors Search metric and Space, followed by post-hoc comparisons. The best layout from each search metric was further examined through cross-evaluation using all three distance metrics.

Results: Space had the largest effect on Pathway distance, with very large effect sizes (η² ≈ 0.85–0.93), whereas the Search metric showed medium-sized effects, and the interaction was relatively small. When evaluated by Pathway distance, layouts obtained from Pathway search had the lowest mean total distances across all problem–space combinations, although statistically significant advantages over Rectilinear and Euclidean search were observed only in some instances. In many cases, the geometric search metrics yielded layouts whose Pathway performance was statistically indistinguishable from or only slightly worse than that of Pathway search. Overall, the results suggest using Pathway distance as the final evaluation metric, while employing Rectilinear or Euclidean distance in the search phase for simplicity and computational efficiency, with candidate layouts re-evaluated using Pathway distance before implementation.

The Role of Nurses in Nursing Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century

2025-12-09T09:53:28+07:00

In the twenty-first century, rapid transformation including population aging, the rising of chronic diseases, inequities in access to health services, and technological change. The role of nurses is changing from hospital-based bedside care providers to innovators and transformational leadership who develop and operate health enterprises that respond to population needs. Therefore, nurse entrepreneur has the potential to create professional expertise into diverse health business models, including nursing and midwifery clinics; services for older adults and people with chronic conditions; consulting services; digital-health ventures; health training institutes; and wellness enterprises. These businesses help expand access to care, reduce congestion in healthcare facilities, promote prevention-oriented services, and support continuity of care. This article aims to analyze the roles, opportunities, limitations, and developmental approaches of nurse entrepreneurs in the 21st century. The study employed is a literature review and document analysis, synthesizing information from academic articles, research studies, policy documents both national and international sources.

Nevertheless, the transition into entrepreneurship faces several barriers: gaps in entrepreneurial competencies, lack of supportive systems, and legal and professional regulations that restrict the scope of practice. These barriers affect nurses’ ability to launch, grow, and sustain their businesses. Recommended directions to advance nursing entrepreneurship include integrating entrepreneurship competencies into nursing curricula; building supportive systems; reviewing relevant laws and policies; and strengthening collaboration among professional organization and government agencies. These measures are essential to elevate the role of nurse entrepreneurs in the twenty-first century, ensuring that people receive health services that are accessible, timely, comprehensive, equitable, and appropriately supported. Ultimately, they enable nurses to transition from service providers to health entrepreneurs, creating sustainable service models that meet the needs of modern health systems.