RESUMEN
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Thailand, including urban centers like Bangkok and surrounding areas, highlighting a critical need for effective management within densely populated communities to mitigate its effects. Methods: This qualitative study sought to explore community management strategies developed in Khlong Toei, a large, congested urban community in Bangkok, Thailand. Seven in-depth interviews (n=7), six focus groups (n=23), and two brainstorming sessions (n=12) were conducted for this study. Data were collected using Zoom, an online communication platform, and through on-site interviews between August 2021 and March 2022 in the congested urban community of Bangkok, Thailand. The data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: All informants (age range: 20-66 years, female respondents: 73.33%) were recruited by a community leader and the abbot of Saphan Temple, the community waiting area in Khlong Toei. The findings revealed two main themes: (1) Caring people, including two subthemes, and (2) Caring community, including two subthemes. Discussion: The study's findings provide guiding inputs for management of public fear to prevent emerging or re-emerging infectious pandemics within congested urban communities.
RESUMEN
This study was a prospective, randomized clinical trial carried out to explore the efficacy of payayor in the prevention and relief of radiation-induced oral mucositis compared with benzydamine. Sixty patients with head and neck cancer, who have started to receive radiotherapy and met predetermined criteria, were randomly assigned into each group to use assigned products 3 times a day from the first to the last day of radiation. The first group used glycerin payayor, a Thai prepared herbal product, by dripping it into the mouth. Another group rinsed their mouths with benzydamine hydrochloride. The World Health Organization Mucositis Grading System was used to assess oral status every week and 2 weeks after radiation. Comparison of time to the onset, pain, severity, xerostomia, postponement of treatment, satisfaction of the solution, and body weight between the 2 groups was performed by t test. The average time to the onset of oral mucositis in the payayor group was significantly later, and its severity and pain score were less than those of the benzydamine group throughout the study period. Significantly higher satisfaction with the solution and higher body weight at the end of the study were shown in the payayor group. Payayor seemed to be superior to benzydamine for preventing and relieving radiation-induced oral mucositis.
