THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY-PARTICIPATORY MODEL FOR SMOKING CESSATION IN UDON THANI PROVINCE

Abstract

This study aimed to examine knowledge, attitudes toward smoking cessation, and community participation in smoking cessation, and to develop and evaluate a community participation model for smoking cessation in Udon Thani Province. An action research design comprising three phases was employed: a situational survey (n = 396 smokers), model development and implementation across two cycles (320 participants; 96 network partners), and model evaluation, conducted from September 2025 to February 2026. Instruments included a 12-week community participation model and a validated questionnaire (IOC = 0.92; KR-20 = 0.82; Cronbach's alpha = 0.74 and 0.81). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired samples t-tests.

At baseline, most participants had low knowledge (59.80%), moderate attitudes (57.60%), and low participation (94.70%). The developed model comprised three components: a participatory concept; six intervention activities (committee formation, data feedback and community rule-setting, campaigning, the 5A-5R-5D technique, family support, and online monitoring); and family network partner participation. After implementation, participants showed statistically significant improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and participation (p-value < 0.001), with 51.20% reducing cigarette consumption and 31.90% reporting continuous abstinence throughout the study.

The model shows promise for strengthening community capacity to support smoking reduction and cessation. Further research using comparison groups and long-term follow-up is recommended.