The Impact of Smog Pollution towards Health of Patients at Chiang Saen Hospital, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

The smog situation in Thailand mostly occurs in the northern part during dry season annually.
It is due to the burning agricultural field, having small pieces of weed as fuel. The shallow
geography with mountains surrounded cause more severe situation. This research aims to the
impact of smog pollution towards health of patients at Chiang Saen Hospital, Chiang Rai
Province during September to October 2018. A questionnaire is applied as a tool for collecting
data and is distributed to 385 sample (patients at Chiang Saen Hospital) - using purposive
sampling method. The data is processed via constant program. The results reveal that the
majority of respondents (59.9%) is female; the youngest age is at 10 and the oldest is at 76; the
average age is 38.34 (SD = 19.635); holding the senior high school certificate (32.7%). In terms
of knowledge on smog problem, the majority of respondents (68.6%) knows and understands the
issue at high level. The reaction behavior when facing the matter comes in various forms with
high and most frequency, including avoiding going outside during smog forming; using mask;
applying eye drops and taking rest in residence. In terms of health, 90% get high and highest
impact – eye irritation, bad smell, nasal irritation, nose running, coughing, sore-throat, throat
infection, hard breathing, discontent, angina or chest pain, headache, vomiting, skin irritation and
itching. Therefore, all of those (100%) visit the doctors at the hospital when they encounter the
problem.