Development of Health Promotion Model for Diabetes Risk Group in Huai Aaeng Health Promotion Hospital, Mahasarakham Province

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop a model of health promotion among people at risk of diabetes (DM) and study the results of the model operation in order to use as a guideline for health promotion activities for people at risk, and to reduce the rate of new cases of DM in the community. It was conducted as an action research from March 2014 to January 2015. The study population were divided into 2 groups which were 70 people at risk of diabetes and 35 people from community’s network partner group. They were purposively selected based on the specified criteria. The tools used for data collection were a quantitative questionnaire for both before and after the operation. The qualitative data were used to record group discussions and interviews collected during all stages of the study. Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) compariing the findings between before and after the operation; and content analysis was used for qualitative data. As for the results, a model of health promo-tion was developed which was identified as “HA-MSKH-Model”, and it could be applicable as a guide-line for the operation within the area effectively through the following stages and activities: 1. Planning stage which had the following activities: (1) the orientation meeting with the health team, (2) Sub-district-level network partner group arrangement to provide information related to the notification of the operation guidelines, and (3) the screening of blood sugar among the participants before starting the operation; 2. Action stage which had the following activities: (1) public health volunteer training, (2) village-level community meeting arrangement, (3) project publicity, (4) educating and developing health promotion skills for diabetes risk group, (5) organizing workshop on village planning and village’s rules to solve problems, and (6) implementation according to the plan and rules; 3. Observation stage which had the following activities: (1) health monitoring and the promoting change of health behaviors of the risk group conducted by public health volunteers, and (2) monitoring the progress on the operation; 4. Reflec-tion stage which had the following activities (1) analysis of the lessons learnt to identify success factors, (2) learning forum arrangement. It was found that the model was effective in increasing knowledge, awareness, and health behaviors by 58.58%, 77.16%, and 87.15%, respectively. Additionally, 60% of the samples had declining blood sugar to reach normal level. From the result of the study, it indicated clearly that “HA-MSKH-Model” should be an appropriate health promotion model for diabetes risk group that focuses on modifying individual health behaviors and establish community care and support for af-fected people in the community. The success factor for this model was the involvement of the community in solving its own problems.”