Project Evaluation of Exercise Promotion for Monks and Novices, Muang District, Chiang Mai

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the project to promote exercise among monks and novices implementated in Muang District, Chiang Mai Province during October 2011 – December 2012. The evaluation project theory of Malcolm Provus was applied in the process which assessed four main components including narrative program (program definition), preparation (program installation), action plan (program process) and the output of the program (program product). The key informants were divided into 2 groups: (1) 15 persons of the province and district deans and 1 person from Buddhism director of Chiang Mai Office, and (2) 76 monks and novice exercise leaders who were selected by purposive sampling form 13 temples in Muang district, Chiang Mai province. The evaluation tools were (1) a set of questionnaire for the province and district deans include the prelate and Buddhism director of Chiang Mai Office which covers the question content of the demanding needs of the project, the feasibility of the project, the purpose of the project and inputs availability, (2) the pre-post test questionnaires for monks and novice exercise leaders, and (3) the exercise checklist form and fitness test. The statistics analysis used the percentage, mean and standard deviation. It was found that the project description was at high level. The assessment by components revealed that the needs of the project, the feasibility and the objectives were at high to highest level. The overall result and the individual items passed the evaluation criteria. The preparation outputs were at high level and passed the evaluation criteria as well. The implementation of the plan was at high level. Of all operational activities, knowledge training, practice exercise skills and exercise behavior were at high level, and passed the evaluation criteria. The overall program outcome was at high level. The specific outcomes on monks and novices health status and DVD use satisfaction were both at high level. Both overall and individual outcomes passed the evaluation criteria.