Health Impact Assessment on the Population in the Klong Sang Reservoir Project under the Royal Initiative, Thung Yai District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

 This research is a mixed-method study aimed at defining the scoping, assessing, and establishing monitoring and surveillance measures for health impacts from the public policy project on constructing a reservoir in Thung Yai District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Data providers for defining the study scoping and establishing monitoring and surveillance measures consisted of 92 individuals, organized into discussion groups. Population and environmental data were obtained from secondary data. Risk assessment for pesticide exposure involved 558 participants through questionnaire surveys and blood samples. Parasitic disease risk assessment involved 91 participants through questionnaire surveys and stool samples. Vector-borne disease risk assessment involved mosquito and larvae sampling, and waterborne disease risk was assessed by collecting 6 samples of tap water for laboratory analysis. Data analysis was conducted for each issue to derive risk values.

          The study results revealed that concerns and significant educational constraints are linked to factors determinants of health and environmental health, including infectious diseases, road accidents, drowning, chemical residues in the body and environment, parasitic diseases, water quality, and community waste. The health risk assessment revealed that the sample group had a 4.84% risk from exposure to pesticides (a risk level of 4.30% and an unsafe level of 0.54%). As for tap water quality, there was a 100% risk (all samples contaminated with coliform and E. coli), while no risk was found for parasitic and vector-borne diseases. Relevant agencies should utilize the findings of each issue to compile monitoring and risk assessment plans annually, for comparative data on future changes.