Development of Health Promotion Model in the Social-Bound Elderly by Community participation in Ubonratchathani Province

Abstract

Objective : This study aimed to develop and evaluate a health promotion model for socially engaged older adults through community participation in Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District, Ubon Ratchathani Province.

Methods : This study employed a research and development (R&D) design consisting of four phases as follows: Phase 1: Studying the current situation, problems, and guidelines for health promotion among socially engaged older adults. Data were collected through interviews and participatory learning with relevant stakeholders, along with quantitative data collection on the quality of life and health behaviors of older adults. Phase 2: Developing a health promotion model through focus group discussions with socially engaged older adults. Phase 3: Implementing the developed model with socially engaged older adults in Kham Yai Subdistrict, Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. The model consisted of four aspects of health promotion: physical, mental, social, and environmental health. Phase 4: Evaluating the effectiveness and satisfaction of the developed health promotion model among socially engaged older adults. For quantitative data, the target group consisted of 90 socially engaged older adults. For qualitative data, 24 participants were included, comprising socially engaged older adults, community leaders, village health volunteers (VHVs), and officers responsible for elderly care from subdistrict health-promoting hospitals and subdistrict administrative organizations. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis, while quantitative data—covering general information, quality of life, health behaviors, and satisfaction—were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, standard deviation, and median (Min, Max).

Result : Phase 1: The study found that the main problems in health promotion among socially engaged older adults included that although most older adults had knowledge about self-health care, they did not undergo regular health check-ups. The community lacked clear guidelines for elderly health promotion, and the health services provided by subdistrict health-promoting hospitals were not fully aligned with the community’s needs. Phase 2: The health promotion model for socially engaged older adults was developed through community participation in identifying needs and setting health promotion guidelines. A health promotion activity calendar was created, and community leaders together with village health volunteers (VHVs) served as key facilitators in organizing and leading activities. Phase 3: The developed model was implemented with socially engaged older adults in Kham Yai Subdistrict, Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. The model emphasized raising awareness and promoting flexibility in participation, consisting of four key aspects of health promotion: physical, mental, social, and environmental health. Phase 4: After implementing the developed health promotion model, older adults demonstrated regular health-promoting behaviors. Their overall quality of life was at a good level (88.20%), and their satisfaction with the model was at the highest level (Mean = 4.69, SD = 0.42).

Conclusion : The development of a community-participatory health promotion model in the social-bound elderly significantly contributed to consistent and sustainable health promotion. This approach led to improved health behaviors and enhanced quality of life among participants.