e-Health Risk Assessment on Non-Communicable Diseases, Quality of Life, And Health Promotion Behavioral Among University Personnel in Thailand

Background Nowadays, information systems play an essential role in daily life, particularly in medical services and health screening, with increasing emphasis on preliminary health risk assessment. The development of an applied e-health information system for assessing health risks related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among university personnel requires a systematic approach to health data management. Such a system enables the establishment of a comprehensive health database that can be utilized to support health promotion initiatives, enhance quality of life, and encourage appropriate health-promoting behaviors. In addition, the information generated can inform institutional planning and policy development aimed at improving workforce well-being, enhancing work efficiency, and reducing healthcare expenditures. Ultimately, the implementation of an e-health risk assessment system contributes to the advancement of a sustainable healthy university environment. Objective To assess the NCD health risks related to quality of life and health promotion behaviors among Chiang Mai University (CMU) personnel using an applied e-Health Risk Assessment (CMU i-Health) web-application. Methodology: A study using a descriptive correlational design was conducted with a sample group of 650 people selected by convenience sampling, who were working at CMU between January 2021 and June 2021. Data were collected using the e-Health Risk Assessment named “CMU i-Health web-application”, and the instruments consisted of 1) a health risk assessment form, 2) the abbreviated WHO Quality of Life Assessment Form (WHOQOL-BREF), and 3) the Health-promoting Lifestyle Profile-II (Thai-CMU version). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was higher or equal to 0.95 and 0.9. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results The sample group consisted of females (68.6%) and males (31.4%), most of whom had moderate health risk (46.5%). Some participants had a history of taking NCD medication (18.9%), with the top four NCD risks being hypertension (13.2%), hyperlipidemia (13.2%), coronary artery disease (2.8%), and diabetes (1.2%). The main risk factors for developing chronic NCDs were excessive Body Mass Index (BMI) (99.7%), inappropriate dietary habits (98%), excess waist/hip ratio (57.4%), stress (42.5%), lack of exercise (30.2%), drinking alcoholic beverages (27.5%), and smoking (2.5%). The mean for quality of life was at a moderate level (76.78), while health promotion behavior was at a decent level (2.98). No statistically significant differences were found in the quality-of-life mean comparison and the health promotion behaviors mean comparison after 6 months, although quality of life was found to be moderately correlated with health promotion behaviors (r = 0.358, p < 0.01). Conclusions CMU personnel should be encouraged to practice appropriate health promotion behaviors in order to reduce risk factors and prevent the occurrence of non-communicable chronic diseases in the working-age population leading to wellness, good quality, and efficiency of work at CMU.