Development of an Operating Models of Village Health Volunteers in the Control and Prevention of Coronavirus 2019, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to develop and to evaluate an operating model on the roles of village health volunteers in the control and prevention of Coronavirus 2019. It was conducted in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Samples were divided into 3 groups: (1) 407 village health volunteers, (2) 9 heads of village health volunteers at the sub-district level, and (3) 6 medical and public health officers. Research instruments included document analysis, questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and group discussions. Quantitative data analysis with descriptive statistics included frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation; and the qualitative data analysis was performed by classifying and grouping data. The results found that: (1) All of 3 districts had established district-level disease control operation centers to control and prevention of Coronavirus 2019. Village health volunteers had knowledge about the control and prevention of Coronavirus 2019 both correct and incorrect in terms of satisfaction. The overall outcome was at a high level (Mean=4.11, SD=0.63). Overall demand was at a high level (Mean=4.37, SD=0.66) with the implementation of the PDCA cycle process as follows: planning, conducting relevant literature studies, process findings, improve findings. (2) The operating model of village health volunteers was divided into 2 aspects including (1) self-development through knowledge establishment, skill development, learning essential tools, and (2) participatory capacity building by creating community agreements, planning operations, monitoring, and continuous evaluation. (3) Evaluation of the operating model under the SCAN model that was practical and appropriate could be used in areas with the context similar to that of Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The authors recommended that a recording system be developd for the record of necessary programs for village health volunteers in order to become more stable.