Factors Predicting the Operational Efficiency of Village Health Volunteers in Promoting Mental Health and Prevention Mental Health Problems in Suphanburi Province

Abstract

Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) are important public health personnel for promoting mental health and preventing mental health problems in the community. Knowing the VHVs’ operational factors is basic information needed to develop and increase their efficiency. The objective of this  research was to study the predictive factors which affect VHV’s efficacy in promote mental health and prevent mental health problems in Suphanburi Province. The research participants were 290 VHVs. Data was collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Promoting Mental Health and Preventing Mental Health Problems Questionnaire. The latter was validated by three experts and  a confirmatory trial conducted with 30 VHVs who had the same attributes as the intended participants. The questionnaire’s Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was .81. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and enter method multiple regressions. The findings  revealed that the duration of working as a VHV, knowledge provided to the VHVs, and the VHV’s regular career were significant predictors of the VHVs’ efficiency in promoting mental health and preventing mental health problems in the communities that they served. The predictive power was 13.1% of the variance (R² = 0.131, p < .01). These research results can be used to develop plans to increase the potential of VHVs in regard to promoting mental health, preventing mental health problems, and the continuous care of persons with psychiatric conditions in the community.