BEHAVIOR IN USING ANTIBIOTICS OF VILLAGE HEALTH VOLUNTEERS DOEMBANGNANGBUAT DISTRICT SUPHANBURI PROVINCE

Abstract

          This research article is a survey study that aimed to observe behavior on antibiotic use of Village Health Volunteers (VHV) in Doem Bang Nang Buat district, Suphanburi. This study is a cross – sectional survey study. The population consisted of 1,526 Village Health Volunteers (VHV) in Doem Bang Nang Buat district, Suphanburi. The study sample consisted of 377 VHVs currently working in Doem Bang Nang Buat district. The data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Furthermore, the correlations between the behavior on antibiotic use of the VHVs and their personal factors, predisposing factors, enabling factors, and reinforcing factors were examined using a chi – square test at the significance level of 0.05.

          The results revealed that: 74.3% of the participants showed a good level of behavior toward antibiotic use. The behaviors on antibiotic use of VHVs had a statistically significant association with the following factors: gender (p <.05), educational level (p <.01), knowledge of antibiotics (p <.01), attitude about antibiotic use (p <.001), and the experiences in training of antibiotic use (p <.001). Meanwhile, age, marital status, duration of being a volunteer, occupation, income, experience in antibiotic use, accessibility to resources, and the antibiotic use influencers, were not associated with such behavior. In order to enable the VHVs to advise people under their responsibilities on antibiotic smart use, it is suggested that antibiotic use training courses should be offered to VHVs to promote their awareness and reinforce their attitudes which might be able to positively change their behaviors.