Model Developing for Surveillance and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Community of Village Health Volunteers, Nikhom Taharn Pansuk Health Promoting Hospital, Muang District, Udon Thani Province

Abstract

Background and Aims: Disseminating knowledge within the target group involves employing diverse mechanisms, including the provision of academic insights and reflecting on the consequences of health risks. The organization of group activities contributes to an augmented knowledge base within the target group, leading to a heightened level of practical application. This research adopts an action research approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods. Its primary objective is to examine the functioning of surveillance and prevention measures for coronavirus disease 2019 in community areas served by village health volunteers. The research further aims to develop and assess the effectiveness of a model for the operations, surveillance, and prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 in the district, specifically focusing on the Community of Village Health Volunteers in the Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital area of Nikhom Waratham Subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani District, Udon Thani Province.

Methodology: This research encompasses the following population groups: (1) Public health personnel in Ban Tat Subdistrict Municipality, specifically the Director of the Public Health Division and public health academics, totaling 2 individuals. (2) Public health personnel in the Health Promotion Hospital, Nikhom Veteran Subdistrict, comprising a total of 5 individuals. (3) Community-level leaders, including Kamnans and village headmen from 8 villages, with a total of 8 individuals. (4) Village health volunteers in the area under the purview of the Health Promotion Hospital in War Veterans Colony Subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani District, Udon Thani Province, covering all 8 villages, totaling 98 individuals. Data collection will involve both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Results: Establishing an operational model for the surveillance and prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 in community areas necessitates cultivating understanding among public health volunteers through training and practice. This concrete model involves several steps: (1) Conducting surveillance operations and preventing COVID-19 disease within the community of public health volunteers, who serve as the frontline in screening or door-knocking campaigns. These volunteers should possess accurate knowledge about COVID-19 disease and prevention, particularly when a patient is identified in the community. (2) Providing surveillance support and preventing COVID-19 disease within the community of public health volunteers by local administrative organizations. This support includes budgetary assistance for surveillance and disease prevention initiatives, along with financial backing through projects allocated to public health volunteers to aid in their duties. Such financial support serves as encouragement for volunteer public health workers. And (3) Enhancing the capabilities of surveillance operations and preventing COVID-19 disease within the community of village health volunteers. Public health volunteers, as part of the public sector volunteers, need to develop comprehensive knowledge, encompassing disease prevention, infection control, contagious periods, and basic treatment of COVID-19. This not only builds credibility within the community but also fosters self-confidence among the public health volunteers.

Conclusion: Through this research, imparting knowledge to the target group employs diverse mechanisms and methods, including the dissemination of academic insights. Deliberating on the consequences of health risks enhances awareness of potential hazards. The organization of group activities not only facilitates increased knowledge within the target group but also leads to an improved level of practical application.