Abstract
The purpose of this research is to explore the people’s perception and exposure to health care regarding health news and medias in ChiangRai province. especially in the district of Muang, Mae Chan, Mae Sai, ChiangSaen, WiangChai, Thoeng, Pa-Daet, and Phan. The target groups of study were divided into 5 groups: (1) government officers, (2) private employees and general laborers, (3) agriculturalists, (4) private-business owners, and (5) school and college students. The study found that the most popular medias can be classified by media type as follow: Newspaper: National newspapers namely Thai Rath, Daily News and Kom Chad Luk are most popular. Local newspapers are Chaing Rath, Chiang Rai News, and Sue Chaing Rai. Those newspapers are the sources for people to acquire health news namely, Health education column and Medical consultative feather in the newspaper at the national ones Health mechanize: the most popular ones are Klai Maw, Cheewachita and Maw Chaow Bann. Television: the most popular TV channel is channel 7, Channel 3 and channel 9 respectively. The most popular TV programs are Phu Ying Phu Ying, from Channel 3, Ban Number 5 from channel 5, Kroob Krueng Reung Phu Ying from channel 7, Maw Surapol from channel 9, Health Window from channel 11 and Health Station from ITV. In term of which media people can be able to obtain health information and news most, the study found that they are television, newspaper, radio, personnel, journal, village broadcasting service brochure leaflet and Poster. People agreed that most effective media has to have accurate and adequate amount of health news and information in order to maintain and health self care taking. The target group of this study has their trust on health personnel most when getting sick or having health problems. In term of the health person people consult with; the first group are medical doctor, nurse and public - health care personnel and the second group is comprised of friend or relative document consultation, and newspaper. In all, despite of having an influence on the health perception of public, medias are still having limitations. Health awareness is the most effective mean to alter public behaviors in the way that changing attitude, perception, believe, value, environmental factors, experiences, and individual readiness.
