Influence of Environmental Risk Exposure on the Determinants of COVID-19 Booster Vaccination in an Urban Thai Population.

This study aimed to identify the influence of environmental risk exposure levels on the predictive factors of COVID-19 booster dose vaccination in an urban Thai population in the post-pandemic era. Six study locations, including the three provinces with the highest environmental risk levels and the three provinces with the lowest environmental risk levels, were selected by calculating the environmental risk exposure indexes. Participants from the capital district of each province were chosen via the simple random sampling technique and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. A total of 1315 individuals were included in a sample in this study, and the best predictors of booster dose vaccination were determined using multiple regression analysis. The results showed that a high level of environmental risk exposure occurred in the provinces with a high number of total days exceeding the limits set for PM10 and high rates of mortality for lung cancer. The number of COVID-19 booster vaccinations given amount to 43.4% of the population during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period. Our multivariate analysis indicated that individuals in the working age group (≥25 years old); those with higher education (diploma degree and above); full-time employment (government and private sectors); those with high monthly incomes (≥USD144.1); and those in areas with the lowest risk level of environmental exposure significantly contributed to the number of booster dose vaccinations given during the post-pandemic period. To summarize, the rate of COVID-19 booster dose vaccination acceptance in Thailand was influenced by socio-economic factors with environmental concerns. These findings improve our understating of both the global pandemic and how environmental exposure affects behavioral change patterns and could improve the effectiveness of post-pandemic management.

Combined Impact of Omicron Vaccination and Environmental Risk Exposure: A Thailand Case Study.

This research aimed to determine the levels of COVID-19 booster dose vaccinations in Thai populations in areas with environmental risk exposure during the Omicron outbreak. Five of twenty provinces in Thailand were selected by assessing environmental risk exposure for study settings. A total of 1038 people were interviewed by a structured questionnaire. The predicting factors of COVID-19 booster dose vaccinations were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. The results showed that 69.4% (95% CI 66.5-72.1) of the population was vaccinated with COVID-19 booster doses. Multiple logistics regression revealed that the female gender (AOR 1.49, 95% CI 1.11-2.00), all age groups from 38 to 60 years old, all education levels of at least secondary school, high income (AOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.15-2.24), populations having experience with COVID-19 infection (AOR 2.27, 95% CI 2.05-3.76), knowledge of vaccine (AOR 1.78, 95% CI 1.11-2.83), and trusting attitude (AOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.32-2.36) were factors among those more likely to take COVID-19 booster dose vaccinations in high-environmental-risk-exposure areas. Therefore, an effective booster dose campaign with education programs to increase attitudes toward booster vaccinations should be implemented for the resilience of COVID-19 prevention and control.

Preventive Behaviors and Influencing Factors among Thai Residents in Endemic Areas during the Highest Epidemic Peak of the COVID-19 Outbreak.

This research aims to investigate COVID-19 preventive behavior and influencing factors among Thai residents during the highest epidemic peak of COVID-19. Nine hundred and forty-six residents in five districts with high COVID-19 infection cases in Thailand were systematically included in this cross-sectional survey. The results showed that 87.2% and 65.2% of the residents had a high level of general knowledge and preventive measures, respectively. As to COVID-19 attitudes, poor levels of attitude among Thai residents were found in risk perception (53.6%) and mistrust issues (70.4%). Moreover, this study presents good preventive behavior (77.0%) among Thai residents. Multiple logistic regression showed that the influence factors of COVID-19 preventive behavior were the young age group (AOR 2.97, 95% CI 1.68-5.25), high income (AOR 1.38, 95% CI 1.03-1.86), and high level of general COVID-19 knowledge (AOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.64-2.96). The conclusion was that providing information on COVID-19 via social media was the key mechanism of policy action for increasing the level of COVID-19 preventive behavior during the highest epidemic peak in Thailand. In addition, the pandemic preparedness and response policy, with resident participation and involvement, could be recommended for the resilience of pandemic preparedness.

Biogas production by co-digestion of municipal wastewater and food waste: Performance in semi-continuous and continuous operation.

Municipal wastewater has recently attracted interest in relation to anaerobic wastewater treatments. Biogas production with co-digestion of mixed substrates has been proposed and has many potential benefits for municipal wastewater. The aim of this research was to assess the performance of biogas production during co-digestion of municipal wastewater and food waste under semi-continuous and continuous operation with various hydraulic retention times (HRTs). A laboratory-scale continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) at room temperature operation (27-32°C) was employed in this research. The highest methane yields of 167.41 ± 66.52, 194.35 ± 85.44, and 214.81 ± 85.44 ml/g-Vs were found in semi-continuous mode, respectively, at 30, 10, and 10 days of HRTs with a 10:90 ratio of municipal wastewater to food waste (based on TS). Result finding of optimum condition (10 days of HRTs) presented a methane yield of 485.58 ± 82.35 ml/g with continuous operation. Hence, food waste has practical implications for use as a co-substrate with the optimization condition of HRT and operation mode for biogas production from municipal wastewater. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Food waste has good potential for use as a co-substrate for biogas production from municipal wastewater. HRT reduction from 30 to 10 days in semi-continuous, biogas production from municipal wastewater and food waste increased by 59%. Co-digestion of municipal wastewater and food waste with continuous mode and 10 days of HRT was the effective biogas production.