DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION MODEL FOR TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL AND PREVENTION IN LAT YAI SUBDISTRICT, MUEANG CHAIYAPHUM DISTRICT, CHAIYAPHUM PROVINCE

Abstract

The incidence of tuberculosis has shown a continuous upward trend and there are no clear measures to prevent the spread of the disease to the community. This research aims to 1) develop a model for the participation of networks in the control and prevention of tuberculosis among the network partners in Lat Yai subdistrict, Mueang Chaiyaphum District, Chaiyaphum Province, 2) study the effects of using the participation model in the control and prevention of tuberculosis among the network partners in Lat Yai subdistrict, Mueang Chaiyaphum District, Chaiyaphum Province, and 3) compare the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to tuberculosis control and prevention among the network partners in Lat Yai subdistrict, Mueang Chaiyaphum District, Chaiyaphum Province. The research sample consisted of 1) a focus group of 60 village health volunteers and community leaders, and 2) 129 participants for questionnaire responses and activities. This research employed a mixed-methods approach. The tools used included 1) a focus group discussion guide, 2) a participation observation form, and 3) a questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitudes, and practices in tuberculosis control and prevention. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis, while quantitative data were analyzed using statistical methods such as mean, standard deviation, and t-test. The research findings indicate that the participation modals implemented in the villages were categorized into three types: Type 1, projects by the network partners of Lat Yai subdistrict; Type 2, projects requiring joint implementation and/or cooperation from local agencies within Lat Yai subdistrict; and Type 3, projects that could not be independently conducted by Lat Yai subdistrict and required external agencies for implementation. After the activities were conducted, it was found that the sample group demonstrated good levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices. A comparison of pre- and post-activity results revealed a statistically significant increase in the average scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practices (p-value < 0.001).