The Factor Analysis of Competency Components of Public Health Personnel in Epidemic Management in the Three Southern Border Provinces, Thailand

Abstract

     This cross sectional descriptive research aimed to explore (1) the competency components of public health officers in epidemic management, (2) variables that describe the characteristics of the competency components of public health officers in epidemic management, and (3) the needs for developing the potential of public health officers in epidemic management in the three southern border provinces of Thailand. The population used in the study was 1,282 public health personnel working on the COVID-19 epidemic under the Ministry of Public Health in the three southern border provinces. The samples were 252 people, selected by stratified random sampling according to province proportions. Data were collected using online questionnaires, with a reliability coefficient of 0.988. Statistics used in data analysis included mean, standard deviation, and exploratory factor analysis. Factor extraction was performed with the principal component, orthogonal rotation, and varimax methods.

     The results showed that: 1) competency components for public health professionals in epidemic management had four components, including epidemiological data management (factor loading = 0.499–0.782), planning and coordination (component weight = 0.611–0.769), good governance and leadership (factor loading = 0.356-0.878), and the integration of public health knowledge for epidemiological operations (factor loading = 0.370-0.737); 2) there are 80 variables in total. The variable with the highest mean value at a high level was respect and adherence to ethical principles regarding data protection and confidentiality of any information obtained from professional activities. The variable with the lowest mean value at a moderate level was the calculation and interpretation of point estimates and confidence intervals of measures of relationships and effects and variables, the calculation and interpretation of statistical significance, and clinical significance; and (3) the needs for developing a short-term training course for epidemiologists, disease investigation, and report writing principles in the form of practical training. It is recommended that there be training to refresh the knowledge of public health professionals 1–2 times a year, both online and onsite, as well as specialty training for public health specialists.