Health impact assessment of environmental problems affecting local residents in tourism areas of the satun UNESCO global geopark, Thailand
1
Publich Health community, Sirindhorn College of Public Health Trang, Faculty of Public Health and Allied Health Sciences, Praboromarajchanok Institute, Trang, Thailand
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1903
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The Satun UNESCO Global Geopark, Thailand’s first UNESCO-designated geopark, hosts internationally recognized tourist destinations such as Le Stegodon Cave, Phupha Phet Cave,Lipe Island. Rapid expansion of tourism has intensified pressures on environmental health systems, particularly waste management, food sanitation, which may adversely affect the health of local residents. This study aimed to assess health impacts associated with environmental conditions and to examine differences in health impacts according to individual characteristics among residents in tourism areas.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 377 residents selected using the Krejcie and Morgan formula and cluster random sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire with established content validity (CVI = 0.67–1.00) and acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.82). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while independent t-tests and one-way ANOVA were applied to examine differences in health impacts across personal factors.
RESULTS:
Environmental determinants were identified as the leading contributors to negative health impacts, with general, infectious, and hazardous waste management accounting for the highest proportion (46.40%), followed by inadequate sanitation facilities and food sanitation practices. The overall mean score of negative health impacts related to environmental factors was moderate (M = 2.81, SD = 0.92). Similarly, the composite mean scores for physical, mental, social, and intellectual health impacts were at a moderate level (M = 2.95, SD = 0.63). Significant differences in physical health impacts were observed according to education level, occupation, social status, length of residence, and distance from residential areas to tourism sites within the geopark (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings highlight the necessity of integrated environmental health management in tourism-intensive geopark areas. Centralized, province-wide waste management strategies and strict compliance with Health Accessiblity Safety (HAS) and Sanitation Accoutability Network (SAN) standards should be prioritized to mitigate adverse health impacts on local communities.
The Satun UNESCO Global Geopark, Thailand’s first UNESCO-designated geopark, hosts internationally recognized tourist destinations such as Le Stegodon Cave, Phupha Phet Cave,Lipe Island. Rapid expansion of tourism has intensified pressures on environmental health systems, particularly waste management, food sanitation, which may adversely affect the health of local residents. This study aimed to assess health impacts associated with environmental conditions and to examine differences in health impacts according to individual characteristics among residents in tourism areas.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 377 residents selected using the Krejcie and Morgan formula and cluster random sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire with established content validity (CVI = 0.67–1.00) and acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.82). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while independent t-tests and one-way ANOVA were applied to examine differences in health impacts across personal factors.
RESULTS:
Environmental determinants were identified as the leading contributors to negative health impacts, with general, infectious, and hazardous waste management accounting for the highest proportion (46.40%), followed by inadequate sanitation facilities and food sanitation practices. The overall mean score of negative health impacts related to environmental factors was moderate (M = 2.81, SD = 0.92). Similarly, the composite mean scores for physical, mental, social, and intellectual health impacts were at a moderate level (M = 2.95, SD = 0.63). Significant differences in physical health impacts were observed according to education level, occupation, social status, length of residence, and distance from residential areas to tourism sites within the geopark (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings highlight the necessity of integrated environmental health management in tourism-intensive geopark areas. Centralized, province-wide waste management strategies and strict compliance with Health Accessiblity Safety (HAS) and Sanitation Accoutability Network (SAN) standards should be prioritized to mitigate adverse health impacts on local communities.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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