Abstract
This study was undertaken to determine qualitative data pertaining to the availability, beliefs, attitudes,
and utilization of poisonous plants and animals in a community using group discussion, followed
by an assessment of the efficiency of conveying the knowledge by civil society. The format was a quasiexperimental
research approach in 11 villages in Khukhan district, Sisaket Province. The experiment was
conducted by means of a stratified random sampling procedure; 120 samples were retrieved. The data
obtained were statistically assessed in respect of frequency, percentage, means plus or minute the standard
deviation, and paired t-test for comparison.
The results showed that, among the 23 kinds of poisonous plants and animals studied, jatropha,
tapioca, toad, Copelandia cyaneseens, Russula emetica, and Phaeogyroporus portentosus were present in
every village in the fields, around temples and residences, etc. This finding, together with the traditional
beliefs and attitudes of the villagers regarding poisonous plants and animals, could possibly lead to a
health risk for the community. After utilizing simple civil society communication, the study group had
shown significantly increased knowledge (p <0.05). The factors affecting the result of the learning process
included language and the villagers’ traditional beliefs and attitudes. Although the statistical increase
was not distinctive, the propagation of knowledge on poisonous plants and animals among the community
through a simple civil society was a learning strategy that was related to some extent to the educational
level in the community with regard to the local villagers in their own community. Furthermore, this
type of learning strategy may also be adapted for utilization in other public health-related work.
