Development of Epidemic Management System in Industrial Plants, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province: A Case Study of Coronavirus Disease 2019

Abstract

This was a study for research and development to develop and assess the quality of the management system for Coronavirus Disease 2019 in industrial plants, in Hat Yai District, Songkhla province. The duration was divided into four phases: 1) situation analysis, 2) system development, 3) system trial in 12 plants, and 4) system quality evaluation. The targets were obtained by purposive sampling, including 1) 28 sanitarians, 2) 12 government officers who were district chiefs, Assistant District Chief Officers, and food industrial plant executives, 3) 8 participative networkers, and 4) 5 experts. The data were collected from April 2021-April 2022 using a validated questionnaire by focus group and group discussion. The quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, i.e., percentage, mean, and SD. The qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. The findings from the study revealed that the Coronavirus Disease 2019 management system of industrial plants included six procedures, i.e., 1) setting up the disease control team, 2) emergency response system, 3) monitoring process development, 4) environmental management, 5) communication system development, and 6) treatment system development. The findings from the system quality assessment found that the means of all aspects were highest level appropriateness (± SD.; 4.37 ± 0.20), utility (4.30 ± 0.22), accuracy standards (4.22 ± 0.29), and feasibility standards (4.21 ± 0.29). For the suggestion, this system should be formally applied in industrial plants to their regular operation.