FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DECISION TO USE THAI TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE SERVICES AMONG STUDENTS OF THE COLLEGE OF MUAY THAI STUDY AND THAI TRADITIONAL MEDICINE MUBAN CHOMBUENG RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This survey research aimed to 1) study the decision to use Thai Traditional Medicine and Alternative Medicine services; 2) study personal factors, knowledge, attitude, access to services, and supporting factors; and 3) determine the relationship between personal factors, knowledge, attitude, access to services, supporting factors, and the decision to use Thai Traditional Medicine and Alternative Medicine services among students of the College of Muay Thai Study and Thai Traditional Medicine, Muban Chombueng Rajabhat University. The sample consisted of 160 undergraduate students enrolled in the 2025 academic year, selected using simple random sampling by drawing lots. The research instrument was a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The research results revealed that: 1) the overall decision to use Thai Traditional Medicine and Alternative Medicine services was at a moderate level ( = 3.28, SD = 1.02). 2) The majority of the sample were female, first-year students, majoring in Public Health, with the objective of using services for relaxation. The levels of knowledge ( = 0.44, SD = 0.24), attitude ( = 3.32, SD = 0.58), access to services ( = 1.93, SD = 0.45), supporting factors ( = 2.45, SD = 1.03), and the decision to use services ( = 3.28, SD = 1.02) were at a moderate level for all variables. 3) Major (χ² = 0.218), age (r = 0.186), and knowledge (r = 0.281) had a low level of relationship with the decision to use services. Meanwhile, attitude towards treatment (r = 0.483) and supporting factors (r = 0.330) had a moderate level of relationship with the decision to use services, with statistical significance at the 0.05 level. The findings can be utilized in strategic planning for public relations and health promotion activities in educational institutions and healthcare facilities, to more effectively attract students and the younger generation to access the services.