Assessment of Community Health Promotion Interventions Among Cross-border,Upland Communities in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand

Abstract

This paper examines the performance of a local NGO that utilized a social approach to provide social and health interventions for ethnic groups living in Sangklaburi district, Kanchanaburi province, Thailand.

Data from three annual censuses (2005-2007) as well as qualitative data in four cross-border, upland communities were analyzed to identify changes in health and well-being of the people living in the study
communities.

The study results indicate clearly that the local NGO’s contributions and strengths rest on bridging the services gap by reaching out to the most disadvantaged group that government services cannot reach; as well as
improving the lived experiences and capacity to perform among community residents so they can lead their lives fully in their social environment. Recommended future programs should be conducted to increase local knowledge on different aspects and to strengthen local people’s ability to carry out recommended actions. Other areas include
expanding programs that strengthen local networks, as well as publicizing knowledge learned from this approach for advocacy and expansion to other places along cross-border areas.