Development of Measures for Regulating the Sale of Inappropriate Health Products in Grocery Stores in Loei Province.

Abstract

Objectives: To study the situation of inappropriate health product sales in grocery stores in Loei Province located in sub-districts implementing RDU community programs, and to develop measures for regulating the sale of inappropriate health products in grocery stores in Loei Province.

Methodology: Studied health product sales situations in 446 grocery stores, assessed operators' health literacy, conducted 4 focus group discussions, used SOAR Analysis technique to analyze environmental factors and set operational goals, and organized stakeholder network meetings to develop measures for regulating health product sales.

Results: Most grocery stores had appropriate premises (94.8%), but significant problems were found in inappropriate drug sales, with 52.2% of stores failing the criteria, and substandard food sales found as high as 64.6%. Operators had moderate health product literacy (mean 2.87 out of 5), with the most problems in behavioral modification category (mean 2.26). Only 5.8% of stores met G-RDU standards and only 2.2% met G-SHP standards. Seven-aspect measure development results included: awareness raising and education, monitoring and surveillance, law enforcement, promotion and incentives, budget and resource support, collaborative networking, and health impact reduction.

Measure Implementation Results (First 6 months): Green grocery stores increased from 10.99% to 68.1%, operators meeting literacy criteria increased from 9.0% to 63.1%, stores meeting G-RDU standards increased from 5.8% to 51.5%, and G-SHP standards increased from 2.2% to 47.7%.

Recommendations: Provincial level should declare community health product problem management as a priority agenda. District level should establish it as an indicator and integrate it with the operations of the District Quality of Life Development Committee (DQLDC). Local level should issue municipal ordinances/regulations to control the sale of unsafe health products in communities.

Keywords: regulatory measures, health products, grocery stores, RDU community, stakeholder networks