Public Health Volunteers Research Articles

Effectiveness of local health constitutions in surveillance the pandemic of coronavirus disease-2019 in rural community of Thailand

This qualitative research aimed to study the effectiveness of the local health constitution in controlling the spread of COVID-19. It reports the role of local communities, government agencies, and healthcare providers in implementing and enforcing local health constitutions and how their engagement can be improved to enhance surveillance. We also reported factors that influence compliance and strategies for improving compliance. We also evaluated the long-term sustainability of local health institutions beyond the pandemic. The population and sample group consisted of key members of the local health constitution teams at the provincial, sub-district, and village levels in the rural area of Ubon Ratchathani. Participants were purposively selected and volunteered to provide information. It included health science professionals, public health volunteers, community leaders, and local government officials, totaling 157 individuals. The study was conducted from December 2022 to September 2023. Our research shows that local health constitutions can better engage and educate communities to actively participate in pandemic surveillance and prevention. This approach is a learning experience for responding to emergencies, such as new infectious diseases that may arise in the future. This simplifies the work of officials, as everyone understands the guidelines for action. Relevant organizations contribute to disease prevention efforts, and there is sustainable improvement in work operations.

Innovative approach to full-service participatory occupational group development for the elderly in Bangkok, Thailand

This research aims to investigate an innovative approach to comprehensive participatory occupational group development for the elderly in Wat Pracharabuedham Community 1-4. The goal is to reduce inequality in urban communities. The study used participatory action research (PAR) and community-based research (CBR) methods to collect data. The study included 77 participants: 19 public health volunteers, 20 elderly individuals, 5 community leaders, 10 teachers and students, 3 officials from the Dusit District Community Development and Social Welfare Department in Bangkok, and 20 lecturers and students from Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University. The research findings identified the key components of urban communities as households, temples, and schools, referred to as the “H-T-S Ecosystem.” In this urban setting, working adults leave early and return late from work. During the day, grandparents managed household chores, cared for children, and monitored the community. However, the elderly did not want to burden their children and wished to contribute additional income to their families and communities. Despite this, they lacked the knowledge to develop community products. To address this issue, the research introduced a full-service herbal product called “Phaya Yor Green Oil.” This product enabled the elderly to support themselves without government assistance, leading to improved urban quality of life and increased community income through self-sufficiency.

Women’s Role in Local Development: Enhancing Gender Equality in Wan Yai District, Mukdahan Province, Thailand

Purpose: This research was conducted using a qualitative method. The objectives were: 1) to study women’s roles in local development; 2) to analyze the supporting and hindrance factors that affect the roles of women in the local area; and 3) to suggest pathways for the roles of women in local development to reduce gender inequality in Thai society. Method: The collective data came from in-depth interviews with provincial and district developers. Women's empowerment working groups conducted focus groups in four districts: Wan-Yai, Cha-Note, Bang-Sai Noi, and Pong-Kam Dong-Moo. Furthermore, the researcher focused on the women villagers to analyze the factors that influence women's empowerment in the local area and make recommendations to the local administration's women's development strategic plan. Results: Women's role in the Wan Yai district is significant. Women also participate in many aspects of the local community. Regarding politics, some women are interested in applying for local elections, and others work as public health volunteers. In economic terms, many women are essential to generating income and development in the area. Most women in the district are members of the Women's Empowerment Fund, a low-interest source promoting job creation and building careers. Research Implication: Regarding culture, women's groups participated in local traditions, such as the Twelve Annual Festivals of Isan People and the Christmas Celebration. Strong women's organizations and women's participation at all levels supported women's empowerment. However, the obstructing factors to women's development were competition from locals with similar careers and the emigration of the working-age population and younger generations. Originality/Value: In summary, the recommendations for the relevant organizations are the network and women's empowerment organizations, NGOs, and educational institutions to integrate abstractly, investigate, and evaluate continually towards the provincial strategic plan.

The Development of Screening Application of the Risk of Elderly with Dementia in Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province

This research aimed to develop dementia screening tools through a mobile application for use by public health volunteers and medical personnel in an attempt to detect the risk of dementia at early stages in Saraphi district, Chiang Mai province and to explore the satisfaction of the application users towards the implementation of a dementia screening application. The sample group was 90 public health volunteers residing in Nongphueng sub-district, Yang Noeng sub-district, and Saraphi sub-district, and 15 medical personnel working in Ban Nongphueng Tambon health promotion hospital, Yang Noeng Tambon health promotion hospital, and Saraphi hospital, Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province. The research methodology comprised eight steps as follows: 1) conducting documentary research on dementia symptoms, screening tools, and dementia data from medical personnel at the Chiang Mai Neurological Hospital. 2) carrying out a field study with community participation to investigate the circumstances of dementia in Tambon Nong Phueng, Tambon Yang Noeng, and Tambon Saraphi. 3) selecting 90 public health volunteers, and 15 medical personnel to participate in this research. 4) formulating a storyboard which described the application model 5) designing the system and create the application with the consultancy from a psychiatric doctor for the elderly and an occupational therapist. 6) testing the operation of the application and carry out the improvement. 7) preparing the manual 8) publicizing and making the application available. The data collection instrument consisted of a satisfaction questionnaire towards the implementation of an application for dementia screening. The statistics used in the research were mean and standard deviation. The dementia application, named "Brain Screening," was developed using the Flutter software development kit and the Dart programming language. It operates on the Android operating system. This application consists of four cognitive assessments: the 14-question item memory assessment, the Mini-Cog assessment, the 8-question item IQCODE-Modified assessment for relatives or caretakers to assess memories, and the AMT assessment for public health and medical personnel. Additionally, the satisfaction assessment of public health volunteers regarding the application's implementation yielded high levels of satisfaction, with an overall mean of 4.19 and a standard deviation of 0.53.

Retaining public health volunteers beyond COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a change in people's volunteering behaviours; participation has increased in informal volunteering (giving unpaid help to those who are not a relative) while decreasing in formal volunteering (unpaid help to groups or clubs). There is an interest from stakeholders who have experienced increased participation in maintaining the positive patterns of volunteering, aligning with National Health Service (NHS) objectives and realising benefits in a wider public health context. This research uses a local COVID-19 public health volunteering programme case study to explore the volunteer's journey and perspective using volunteers' reported experiences to consider the potential for volunteer retention and role expansion into other public health issues beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Recruitment was undertaken by Birmingham City Council Public Health Team via the COVID-19 Community Champions programme mailing list. Semi-structured focus group discussions, one-to-one interviews and email interviews were conducted with volunteers. Data were analysed through directed thematic analysis using an iteratively developed coding frame. Data were collected from three focus group discussions, four interviews, and one email interview involving a total of 16 participants. Six themes were identified: volunteer motivations and expectations; volunteer management; programme organisation; feeling valued; continued need for role, and interest in new responsibilities. Our findings indicate that the factors which are conducive to volunteer recruitment, retention and re-purposing were: maintaining the original terms of engaging with the volunteering opportunity (including retaining the original brief and remit), adjusting these through consultative processes with an emphasis on seeking permission from the volunteers already involved and ensuring a reliable and consistent management and support structure. While some of the learning is specific to the local volunteer programme in question and the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are lessons that can be generalised to other scenarios and settings.

Public Health Volunteers Perspective on Motivation: An Assessment by Spotlight on Africa Uganda Foundation

Low motivation among workers across various institutions is one of the main problems affecting performance of public health volunteers. This study was aimed at identifying key factors attributed to motivation among Public Health Volunteers (PHVs) in Bukasakya and Namabasa sub counties in Mbale District in Uganda. The level of motivation was assessed in relation to each attribute used to measure satisfaction. The study considered various attributes to motivation and performance of health volunteers. A descriptive survey design was used, a questionnaire was administered among 139 respondents most of which were the PHVs. A questionnaire with Likert scale was developed and administered to the respondents. The attributes of motivation were then categorized into personal and organizational attributes. For the qualitative component, participants with varied responses in quantitative data were selected and interviewed. This study underscores the significance of different attributes of motivation. The results revealed that 99% of respondents had attended school, 80.58% were very happy to be PHVs, 84 % reported improved quality of life, 69% exhibited confidence, although 87% were not sure to volunteer again for the next coming 7-10 when they were asked. Over 70% were satisfied with incentives provided and partly attributed their motivation to these incentives. Generally, the respondents were very happy with the working conditions in the organization, in Health the facilities and in the community. In an arrangement where health facilities involve health volunteers in the activities, there is need to consider their motivation, while framing administrative strategies and policy guidelines.

Development of a Healthcare Monitoring Diabetes Mobile Application for Community

The purpose of this project is to develop the mobile application, by applied Machine learning, for analyzing, collecting, monitoring, and retrieving information between patients with diabetes especially diabetes type 2 and village public health volunteers and to study the impact of using mobile application based on self- learning and self-management in diabetes information. This is a research and development mobile application and the sample consisted of 30 diabetes patients and 5 village health volunteers participated in this research. The project has demonstrated the effectiveness of using mobile application to support patients and village health volunteers. The results showed that user satisfaction has a high level.

Development of a coordinating model for home care of stroke patients by family and community care teams using the appreciation influence control technique

Background: Stroke patients and their caregivers face huge challenges from patients’ health problems when they leave the hospital to rehabilitate at home. Objective: To develop a model for coordinating the participation of family and community care teams to support stroke patients at home. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study applying the Appreciation Influence Control technique. Purposive sampling was employed to select 120 key informants comprised of 50 family medicine members, 10 community leaders, 30 stroke patients, and 30 patient caregivers. Data collection consisted of interviews and focus group discussions. Patients and caregivers were followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge from the hospital. Data were analyzed by content analysis. Results: The coordinating model of the health care team provided standard guidelines for home care of stroke patients, improved the referral system from hospital to home, trained public health volunteers and caregivers about caring stroke patients at home, and organized community leaders to support patient equipment and rehabilitation facilities. The collaboration between the health care team and community leaders, as well as with patients and caregivers, improved the quality of life for stroke survivors.

The Psychology of Coronavirus Behavioral Health Mindset, Vaccination Receptivity, Customer Orientation and Community Public Service.

Three studies were conducted to explore the psychological determinants of COVID-deterrent behaviors. In Study 1, using data collected and analyzed both before and after the release of COVID-19 vaccines, mask-wearing, other preventative behaviors like social distancing, and vaccination intentions were positively related to assessments of the Coronavirus Behavioral Health Mindset (CVBHM); belief in the credibility of science; progressive political orientation; less use of repressive and more use of sensitization coping; and the attribution of COVID-19 safety to effort rather than ability, powerful forces, fate, or luck. In Study 2, favorable COVID-19 vaccination intentions were related to greater willingness to work, lower emotional distress, and greater customer experience mindset. Study 3 examined the personality and motives of individuals who volunteered to help deliver COVID-19 inoculations to the local community. The vaccine-giving volunteers, especially those with prosocial motives, had high CVBHM scores, belief in the credibility of science, low use of repressive coping, greater attribution of COVID-19 protection to effort, low likelihood of voting conservative, were older, and had more education than others. The majority of public health volunteers expressed prosocial motives to help people or join a cause (60.7%), but many (39.3%) expressed the personal motives of getting the COVID-19 vaccination for themselves, conveying a public image of compassion, or structuring time. Based on the three research studies, a COVID-19 Mindset Hierarchy model is proposed to integrate the results.

Effectiveness of Public Health Volunteer Engagement Program in Home Care for Stroke Patients in Bo Thong District Chonburi Province, Thailand

This research aimed to study the effectiveness of the Public Health Volunteer Participation Program in the home care of stroke patients. Methods: This was quasi-experimental research; the samples consisted of 30 public health volunteers in each comparison and experimental group by simple sampling. The experimental group participated the Public Health Volunteer Engagement Program that consisted of 1) improving the environment at home and supporting the physiotherapy by increasing movement to improve the body balance, 2) Stress management and social support of stroke patients at home, 3) Taking care the nutritional status among stroke patients at home, 4) Following on a daily within 12 weeks by nurse and public health volunteer. Data were collected by using the knowledge interview form on stroke and care of stroke patients. Data were analyzed by using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, pair-sample t-test, and independent-sample t-test. Results: The results found that the knowledge average score and the home care practice score of the health volunteers were significantly higher than the comparison group (p < 0.001). When comparing the results before and after program implementation, the cerebrovascular disease care in public health volunteers were significantly higher than before program implementation. (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The Public Health Volunteer Engagement Program in Home Care for Stroke Patients was effective. This program was suitable for promoting the public health team to care stroke patients at the community level.

Issues Arising from the Creation of Special Economic Zone in Southern Thailand: A Scoping Step of Rapid Health Impact Assessment

Background: Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy of Thai government aimed to promote the economyin bordered provinces. Its establishment may cause concerns and impacts on communities. This articleexplores those issues arising from SEZ establishment in Southern Thailand.Method: The scoping step of rapid health impact assessment process was applied using documentaryresearch combined with qualitative descriptive approaches, including focus group discussions, interviews,and brainstorming. Data were collected from seventy participants, comprising government officials, localgovernment officials, community leaders, public health volunteers, members of local organizations, andlocal residents. Content analysis was used to analyze the data.Conclusion: The most important issues were found in four aspects—economic, social, environmental, andhealth. The economic aspect involved higher income and more employment opportunities, while for theenvironmental aspect, the issues were related to waste management and water pollution. The social issuescomprised the build-up of traffic and the influx of migrant workers. The health issues were emerging/reemerging infectious diseases, particularly from migrant workers and the insufficiency of health services. Asa result, a rapid health impact assessment should be carried out based on these issues. It should be taken intoconsideration by local officials responsible for developing and regulating the SEZ.

Health Network’s Developing in Prison Communities by Empowerment

Correctional institutions or prisons are places with a large number of people living crowded, which affects the health status of inmates. The main objective of this developmental research is to studied the model of health network development in prison communities by using empowerment process and has a specific purpose were 1. To study the characteristics of communities and health problems of Kalasin Prison Communities. 2. To develop an appropriate health care model for people in Kalasin Prison Community and 3. To develop the potential of the health network in the Kalasin prison. The population is as many as 3,005 inmates living in prisons. The sample consists of 75 inmates in the Kalasin Prison Community, 2 nurses’ inmates of nurse units in the prison, the total of 77 person. The instruments consisted of knowledge assessment form, understanding of case manager in community health care of public health volunteers in prisons and in-depth interviews, focus group interviews, and transcription lessons in supervision. The results showed that 1. The top 5 health problems that sick inmates were: 1.1 Upper respiratory infection 1.2 Rash / itch 1.3 Muscle pain 1.4 Arthritis 1.5 Gastrointestinal disease and health risks such as Stress, Depression, Obesity, Diabetes, Hypertension and Dyslipidemia. 2. Appropriate forms of health care for people in Kalasin prison community, namely Public health volunteers in prisons have a role in screening health conditions. Illness surveillance and education for self-care in order to prevent illness. 3. After the training in general knowledge about public health volunteers in prisons. The sample group had the mean scores and knowledge median of 11.65 and 12.00 (X = 11.65, Med. = 12.00) respectively which increased statistically significant. And the development of the potential of the health network in prisons should focus on participation providing empowerment to volunteers with appreciation and record the merit points. Suggestions since it is a studied in a closed community. Therefore should be cooperation from all sectors involved in driving the public health volunteers in prisons for strength and sustainability, which will lead to further reduction of illness in prisons.

The Potential Enhancement of the Smoking Cessation Aid Called ‘Quit-Calendar’ for ‘Quit-For-King’ Project (Phase I)

Background: Quit-For-King Project has launched from 2016 to 2019. The campaign activities, treatment &counseling, and public health network are required. Quit-Calendar was considered as a cessation aid for this project. It aimed to provide a useful reminder for smokers to specify their quit dates, learn some self-help guides, and receive pharmacological assistance. Methods: It is a cross-sectional descriptive study. One-hundred and thirty three Health promoting hospital (HPH) staff from SriSa-Ket province underwent ‘Quit-Calendar training programs included, knowledge and skills of counseling, pharmacotherapy, and steps of using Quit-Calendar. Information related to smoking cessation services at primary care units (HPH). Descriptivestatistical analysis was implemented. Results: Totally, there were 177 HPH participants enrolled to the training program. The majority was females (7.3%), have already opened smoking cessation services (93.4%) with mainly 1 to 3 year working experience (63.3%). Noticeably, smoking cessation services were mainly set up at outpatient clinics (89.8%). Most common smoking cessation services include lifestyle modification (98.4%). Regarding health policies in Sri-Sa-Ket province, only 5A counseling with ‘cold turkey’ technique, and herbal medicines were provided for the patients. Interestingly, the majority of quitters were monitored by public health volunteers who met them regularly (85.36%) not healthcare provider at the hospitals. The success keys included, the readiness of quitter, followed by clear and supportive policies and family members consecutively (38.64, 32.95, 21.59%). Conclusion: Quit-Calendar was successfully modified. Quit-Calendar was comprised into ‘Quit-For-King’ Project to enhance the success of quit rates (phase II). The preparations of HPH staff were also conducted. Further investigations of its effectiveness, users’ satisfaction and limitations of the calendar will be performed

The effectiveness of a cognitive training program in people with mild cognitive impairment: A study in urban community.

To assess the effectiveness of a cognitive training program on global cognition among people with mild cognitive impairment. In this experimental study, using purposive sampling, 60 participants age 50 years and over who complained of subjective memory impairment were screened in their communities by public health volunteers with the Abbreviated Mental Test. Those with dementia were excluded as well as those with depression, which were screened out by the Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS-15). Mild cognitive impairment was diagnosed and confirmed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and joint agreement between a psychiatrist and a neurologist. The participants were alternately assigned to receive a cognitive training program (intervention group) while the other half received their normal usual therapy (control group). The program involved training of 4 aspects of cognition through 6 sessions; 2 sessions per month for 3 months. The MoCA and TGDS-15 scales were given at baseline and again at week 13, and at months 6 and 9. Independent t-tests were used to compare changes in global cognition among the two groups. MoCA scores at 9 months were significantly higher than at baseline in both groups. However, the mean difference in intervention group was significantly higher than control group. TGDS-15 scores at 6 months was significantly lower than at baseline among the intervention group but not the control group. This cognitive training program helped to improve global cognition and reduce depressive symptoms.

Risk Management of Lead and Arsenic Poisoning in Children through Public Participation in Communities near Abandoned Tin Mine, Southern Thailand

Tamtalu Subdistrict, Bannangsta District in Yala Province, southern Thailand was the site of an abandoned tin mine, and was contaminated by lead and arsenic from the mine tailings. As children are a high risk group from these highly toxic contaminants, this study aimed to identify approaches to reduce children’s exposure in the area. The study was conducted through participatory action research (PAR) to empower the community strengthen sustainable risk management. The participants were local public health officials, public health volunteers, parents of local children and local community leaders. The participants were engaged in activities relating to risk communication, training on exposure prevention, planning of risk management and implementation of the plan. The children’s risks were communicated to the villagers during community meetings. Trainings on how to prevent As and Pb exposure were provided, and preventive strategies planned and implemented. After a six-month period of the intervention, levels of As and Pb in the hair of local children’s decreased significantly (p< 0.01 and p< 0.05, respectively). The parents’ knowledge of how to prevent children from As and Pb exposure increased significantly (p<0.01). The results indicated that PAR can be used to mitigate problems of chronic environmental exposure and poisoning. In addition, the Ottawa Chatter concept can be applied for long-term management. Economic status and effective risk reduction programmes are key determinants for successful implementation of local community-based risk management plans.

DUPLICATE: The effectiveness of a cognitive training program in people with mild cognitive impairment: A study in urban community.

To assess the effectiveness of a cognitive training program on global cognition among people with mild cognitive impairment. In this experimental study, using purposive sampling, 60 participants age 50 years and over who complained of subjective memory impairment were screened in their communities by public health volunteers with the Abbreviated Mental Test. Those with dementia were excluded as well as those with depression, which were screened out by the Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS-15). Mild cognitive impairment was diagnosed and confirmed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and joint agreement between a psychiatrist and a neurologist. The participants were alternately assigned to receive a cognitive training program (intervention group) while the other half received their normal usual therapy (control group). The program involved training of 4 aspects of cognition through 6 sessions; 2 sessions per month for 3 months. The MoCA and TGDS-15 scales were given at baseline and again at week 13, and at months 6 and 9. Independent t-tests were used to compare changes in global cognition among the two groups. MoCA scores at 9 months were significantly higher than at baseline in both groups. However, the mean difference in intervention group was significantly higher than control group. TGDS-15 scores at 6 months was significantly lower than at baseline among the intervention group but not the control group. This cognitive training program helped to improve global cognition and reduce depressive symptoms.

Based on the perceptions of community stakeholders, how can adolescent pregnancies be prevented? A qualitative study

Background: Adolescent pregnancy an important problem in adolescent health and government agencies need to focus on solving problem. The purpose of this research was to survey the perceptions of community stakeholders concerning the prevention of adolescent pregnancies in rural communities.Methods:Data collection was performed using group meetings with 103 stakeholders involved in adolescent pregnancy prevention. They were nurses, public health officials, parents or guardians, students, teachers, public health volunteers and community leaders. Thematic analysis indicated work on adolescent pregnancy prevention problems in rural areas was carried out by only some agencies such as district and sub-district health promoting hospitals, providing youth-friendly health service clinics and educating student leaders in schools on sex education.Results: Collectively, these results draw attention to the need for an appropriate program to strengthen adolescent, family and practitioner skills for the prevention of teenage pregnancies. Schools provide sex education as part of a health education curriculum, and some schools provide additional instruction in guidance classes. Problems from inconsistent work when networks fail were encountered. Stakeholders believe adolescent pregnancy prevention should focus on the following: (1) adolescents should receive training for skill development with content related to knowledge about sex, negotiation, refusal, morality and ethics, (2) teachers should receive training on comprehensive sexual education, and, (3) families should work to improve their communication on sexual health and developmentConclusions: There is a strong need for families to develop the ability to communicate with each other about sexuality and reproductive health. Developing parenting skills on how and when to talk about sex with their adolescents and open parental communication on sexuality issues at home is necessary. Activities need to also be developed for adolescents who are more inclined to engage in risky sexual behaviors.

People Participation Towards Opisthorchis viverrini Prevention and Control in Chaiyaphum Province, Northeastern Thailand

This cross-sectional descriptive and qualitative study was aimed to study the people participation and their approaches toward the human carcinogenic liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, prevention and control in Ban Chaun sub-district administrative organization (BCSAO) and Bamnet Narong sub-district municipality (BNSM), Bamnet Narong district, Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand between June 2013 and February 2014. Participants were purposive selected, included chiefs of sub-district administrative organizations, sub-district municipalities, sub-district health promotion hospitals (SHPHs), heads of village, and a further sample was selected with a multi- stage random sampling for public health volunteers, and villagers. The pre-designed questionnaire contained items for individualized status and the participatory steps of sharing ideas, decision-making, and planning, procession, evaluation, and mutual benefit, for the project O. viverrini prevention and control (POPC). In-depth interviews were used for collection of need approaches to POPC. With 375 participants who completed the questionnaire, it was found that people had a high level regarding to participate in the POPC, particularly in the process stage (X_ =3.78, S.D. = 0.56), but the lowest level was found in sharing ideas, decision making, and planning step (X_ =3.65, S.D. = 0.63). By comparison, participant status and organization did not significantly differ with people participation. In each step, Ban Chaun sub-district had a high level of participation in the step of sharing ideas, decision making, and planning toward POPC, more than Bamnet Narong sub-district municipality (t=2.20, p=0.028). Approaches for POPC in Ban Chaun sub-district and Bamnet Narong sub-district municipality included requirements for budget support, annual campaigns for liver fluke prevention and control, campaign promotion, risk group observation, home visiting, community rules regarding reducing raw fish consumption in their communities, and a professional public health officer for working in their communities, BCSAO, BNSM, and SHPH, for O. viverrini prevention and control. This study indicates that people realize that eradication of the liver fluke needs a continuous people participation for O. viverrini prevention and control in their communities.

Public health's response: citizens' thoughts on volunteering

Purpose – The aim of this paper is twofold: to delineate the results of the focus groups regarding volunteers and their needs; and to compare the results with pertinent literature regarding volunteerism to determine whether the motivating factors and needs of volunteers still need to be addressed by public health and other professional practitioners.Design/methodology/approach – Focus groups were conducted with public health volunteers and content analysis was conducted to identity central themes.Findings – Several important themes related to motivation and training emerged from the focus groups. These findings are supported by the sociological, psychological, management and administrative literature on volunteerism.Research limitations/implications – While qualitative, these findings emphasize factors of which public health and emergency management officials need to be cognizant as they prepare, plan and work with volunteers.Practical implications – In order to retain volunteers' public health and emerge...

Knowledge, attitude and practice related to liver fluke infection in northeast Thailand

To investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in prevention and control of liver fluke infection in northeast Thailand. A descriptive KAP survey pertaining to liver fluke infection was carried out in June 2005 to October 2006 using structured questionnaires. Data were collected by questionnaires consisting of general parameters, knowledge, attitude, practice, and a history of participation in the prevention and control of liver fluke infection. A total of 1077 persons who were inter-viewed and completed the questionnaires were enrolled in the study. The majority were females (69.5%) and many of them were 15-20 years of age (37.26%). The questionnaires revealed that information resources on liver fluke infection included local public health volunteers (31.37%), public health officers (18.72%), televisions (14.38%), local heads of sub-districts (12.31%), doctors and nurses (9.18%), newspaper (5.72), internets (5.37%), and others (12.95%). Fifty-five point eleven percent of the population had a good level of liver fluke knowledge concerning the mode of disease transmission and 79.72% of the population had a good level of prevention and control knowledge with regards to defecation and consumption. The attitude and practice in liver fluke prevention and control were also at a good level with a positive awareness, participation, and satisfaction of 72.1% and 60.83% of the persons studied. However, good health behavior was found in 39.26% and 41.42% of the persons studied who had unhygienic defecation and ate raw cyprinoid's fish. The result also showed that 41.25% of the persons studied previously joined prevention and control campaigns. The persons studied have a high level of liver fluke knowledge and positive attitude. However, improvement is required regarding personal hygiene specifically with hygienic defecation and consumption of undercooked fish.