Evaluation of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever Prevention and Control Action Plan in Nakhon Nayok Province 2006 - การประเมินผลแผนปฏิบัติการควบคุมป้องกันโรคไข้เลือดออกจังหวัดนครนายก พ.ศ. 2549

Abstract

                   The purpose of this research was to evaluate the Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) prevention and control action plan in Nakhon Nayok Province. It involved evaluation of the knowledge and perception of DHF, participation in community activities on DHF prevention and control and the preventive behavior of 640 household heads in an interview and 37 tambon health officers, responsible for DHF prevention and control tasks, by using a set of questionnaire. The associations between knowledge, perception, participation in community activities on DHF and preventive behavior were also determined. Data collection took place during October 10 - 31, 2006 using structured questionnaire.

                   The results showed that the majority of household heads were female (61.3%) mean age of 47.4, SD 14.36 years. The majority of them, (62.7%) were at a primary school level, (32.7%) the farmers, and the average number of family members was 4.  Amongst those questioned, 6 people (0.9%) were DHF patients who had been treated and recovered. Household heads had a moderate level of overall knowledge and perception of DHF. However, their perception of susceptibility to DHF needed improvement. Their level of participation in DHF related community activities could be improved while their preventive behavior was surprisingly good and was higher than the value indicated in the program. The analysis revealed that knowledge of DHF, perception of DHF and participation in community activities were significantly associated with the preventive behavior (p<0.05). Performance in preventing and controlling DHF by tambon health officers was at a good level. It is recommended that participatory health education should be introduced to increase awareness of susceptibility and severity of DHF, to encourage people to participate in community activities and to prevent and control DHF, and that tambon health officers should be on guard on DHF prevention and control throughout the year.

Key words:      evaluation, dengue haemorrhagic fever, action plan, Nakhon Nayok