The Development of a Participation of Network Partners in the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 in Educational Institutions : A Case Study of Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University

Abstract

Objective : The purposes of this research were to study the participation process of network partners in the prevention and control of COVID-19 and to examine the effects of the development process of the partnership network’s involvement.

Method : This is action research, had 3 phases : 1. Before development 2. Development
3. After development. A total of 365 people participated : health leaders in educational institutions and student representatives. Research tools included a 5-part questionnaire and a focus group guide. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, paired t-test and content analysis.

Result : First, prior to the development, the participants had inaccurate knowledge about COVID-19, inappropriately perceived the risks and severity, had inappropriate preventive behaviors, and the educational institution lacked preventive measures against the disease. The developed activities focused on educating about COVID-19, improving perceptions of the risks and severity, improving prevention behaviors, developing service systems, and developing measures to prevent COVID-19 in the institution. Third, the mean score on knowledge of the disease, perceived risks and severity, and preventive behavior among the participants significantly increased after the developed activities had been implemented, and the partners participated in the prevention at a high level.

Conclusion : The success factors were “RMU fights against COVID-19” consists of Risk communication (R), Mutuality (M) is collaboration of everyone in the community belongs to the network, Unity (U) is solidarity. These will help prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 efficiently. This research can be applied to prevent other diseases.