The Development of oral health care and surveillance programme for the elderly by community network in Chik Thoeng Subdistrict, Tan Sum District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

The purpose of this action research was to study development of an oral health care and surveillance model for elderly by a community network in Chik Thoeng Subdistrict, Tan Sum District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. Participants were 231 elderly persons stratified random sampling selected from totally 431 persons and 20 local staff responsible for oral health care in the community. Data was collected by questionnaires, observation forms, group discussion log form, and operational monitoring form. The quantitative data analysis was used descriptive statistics and the content analysis for qualitative data.

                        Results revealed that the PAOR process of the development of oral health care and surveillance model for elderly adults by community network in Chik Thoeng Subdistrict consisted of 6 stages: 1) context base study, 2) practical workshop, 3) participatory planning activities, 4) action, 5) supervision, and 6) conclusion. The results showed that elderly had increased knowledge and behavior of oral health care with statistical significance at the 0.05 level, as well as had the mean knowledge and health behavior scores at a high level, at 10.41+ 1.95 and 2.34+0.52, respectively. The stakeholder as participatory key information group increased at a high level by 90percent.

                        At the end of the project, we proposed the “C-2P model”, which are comprised of 1) Creating a community network 2) Project support increasing knowledge and understanding and, 3) Participation of teams, the cooperation between the elderly, their caregivers, and the healthcare staff to be involved for continuing activities to promote dental healthcare for the elderly.