Perception of Thai upper-northern in Health information and knowledge : fiscal year 2013

Abstract

This research aims to evaluate the performance of public relation and communication in 2013 handled by the Office of Disease Prevention and Control region 10 (DPC10) in the previous operation year. The results can be utilize for next year planning both target groups and area context. The study focused on designed diseases mentioned by Disease Control Department policy and (aged) more than 15 years of population. The study design was cluster approach and quota setting on gender and age based on population structure. The highest health risk which is Chiang Mai, and lowest health risk provinces which is Lampoon were selected. Data collection were carried out both urban and rural areas with the same ratio. Total 200 samples were collected with 100 cases from Chiang-Mai and the rest from Lampoon. Tool for data collection was questionnaire developed from experts meeting and agreement. Levine’s test and t-test were used for data analysis. The results indicated that most people daily perceived diseases and health threat information from television media, internet and family member. Other sources of information were newspaper (one a week), radio (3 times a week) and the rests were other sources (once a month). Both areas could not access the disease medias namely; 1) Chikungunya Ischemic heart disease 3) Poliomyelitis 4) Tuberculosis 5) Leprosy 6) Leptospirosis, that is different from the operation year of 2012 since people could not get all information of Leprosy. Urban population perceived the traffic accident as daily basis whereas rural population perceived the Dengue fever 3 times a week. The remains were only one time per month in both areas. Satisfaction on information communication conducted by Department of Disease Control were ranked as high level for both genders, both areas, and all aging and education levels. Their attitudes towards the Department of Disease Control operation were good. The personal are well knowledge on disease prevention and control with 95 and 95.3%, respectively. They always mentioned the Department as the first unit whenever the disease outbreaks were detected. The distributed information was reliable regarding the updated information perceive, there were difference in urban (40.5% of agreement) and rural zone (70.1% of agreement). However, overall satisfaction was low level, therefore DPC10 should concern on the up to date information communication. The target population have high knowledge in the diseases of Hypertension, Alcohol, Tuberculosis, HIVs, Diabetes mellitus, Ischemic heart disease, Influenza, Diarrhea, Cigarette, Chemical, Toxicants disease.Other knowledge level on the remained diseases and health threat were observed as high level and meet the criteria of Disease Control Department (Greater than 80%), they are 1) DHF (chief complaint/eliminate mosquito larvae) 2) TB (transmission) 3) Influenza (prevention / wash one's hands) 4) Diarrhea (prevention/clean food/ prevention dehydration) and three risks they are 1) alcohol (law) 2) cigarette (passive smoking/ risk relate) 3) chemical toxicant (transmit/containment). The results obtained from this study suggested the involved organizations in using data for further planning on communication according to the life style of northern people. Other factors which should be concern for communication are communication timing, occupation, interest, gender and age group. The recommended communication channels are internet and family member conversation. Other medias such as local radios, newspaper should be urged including frequency.