AWARENESS AND MEDICAL TREATMENT RIGHT ACCESS OF THE STUDENTS OF MAHAMAKUT BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY ISAN CAMPUS KHONKAEN PROVINCE FOLLOWING SANGAHAVATTHU 4

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to: 1) examine the personal factors and challenges faced by students at Mahamakut Buddhist University, Isan Campus, Khon Kaen; 2) assess students' understanding of and access to healthcare rights based on the principle of Sangahvatthu 4; and 3) identify recommendations for improving healthcare services and creating mechanisms to enhance students' awareness of and access to healthcare rights according to the principle of Sangahvatthu 4.

The researcher employed a mixed methods research design. Quantitative data was collected from a sample of 262 respondents using a questionnaire and analyzed using percentages, mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation coefficient, chi-square test, and one-way ANOVA. Qualitative data was gathered through interviews with key informants representing students from nine different majors and analyzed using content analysis.

The findings revealed that.

Of the 262 respondents, 67.90% were female, 29.80% were male. 27.10% were aged between 20-25 years old, 29.80% were in their first year of study, 24.40% were studying Thai language teaching, and 38.20% had a household income between 5,000-10,000 baht per month. 59.20% had never sought treatment at a hospital outside their district. 77.90% were unaware of the Emergency Medical Act B.E. 2551 and the Ministry of Public Health Notification on the Determination of Emergency Patients B.E. 2561. Additionally, 94.30% were unaware of the 30-baht universal healthcare service.

Overall, the level of awareness and access to healthcare rights among students was high ( = 3.51). When considering individual dimensions, it was found that the rights to healthcare services ( = 3.51), confidentiality and privacy ( = 3.51), access to sufficient and clear information ( = 3.51), and safety in healthcare had mean scores of ( = 3.51), respectively. Furthermore, the field of study was not associated with awareness of the Emergency Medical Services Act B.E. 2551, the Ministry of Public Health's announcement regarding the definition of emergency patients B.E. 2561, and the Universal Health Coverage scheme.