Health Education and Participatory Program for Diabetic Prevention and Control in Lamphun province

Abstract

          This study is the Participatory Action Research aim to determine the behavioral improvement of the target group on Diabetic prevention and control. The study was carried out during March to August 2005 in urban society, Muang District and rural society, Li District , Lamphun province northern Thailand. Diabetic risk person of being age over 40 years old and Diabetic patients who presented themselves in the selected health sectors, finally 400 persons, were involved in this study. The results found that 60.5% (242/400) of target group were female and 39.5% (158/400) were male. 73% ( 292 /400) of the informant had primary school educational level. Their main occupation were general employee 41.7 % ( 167 /400) and agriculture 39% (157/400). Moreover, 31.5% (126 /400) had either their close or direct relatives experience suffering on Diabetic mellitus. After implementation we found that their knowledge on diabetes had increased from 56 to 92 % and the risk behavior particularly an emotional level on accepted Diabetic live was significantly improved in Li District from 60.5% to 74.5 % (p<0.05). Furthermore, the informant significantly improved in Li District from 60.5% to 74.5 % (p<0.05). Furthermore, the informant had significantly understood management on the proper nutrition, cigarette, beverage which were increased from 79 to 89.5% in Muang District and 76.5 to 94 % in Li District respectively (p<0.05). Beside they had done more exercises after health education participatory process. The self care of diabetic patients both in Li and Muang District were also improved especially they reduced taking diuretic and muscle relaxant. Health seNice in general and the health education in particular were evaluated on satisfactory level by the informant. The top three leading satisfaction factors grading by participant in Muang and Li District were a) hospitality and a good practice of health personal (17.1 and 15.3 %) ; b) health sectors 's atmosphere including clean and safety place ( 16.5 and 15.8 %) ; c) skill and reliability of knowledge (15.5 and 11.3%) respectively. As a whole figure, improvement of health education facilities, processes, put the right programme to the right target group is of best to motivate and best practices in the Diabetic risk persons.