Development of a Village Model on Participatory Behavior Modification for Reducing Cancer, Hypertension and Cardiovascular Diseases in Mahasarakam Province

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop a model to promote physical exercise, consumption of non-pesticide-contaminated vegetables, and pro-health activities (studying information and health messages on the prevention of cancer, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases) among 77 vallagers of Baan Nasinuan village, Nasinuan Sub-District, Kantharawichai District, Mahasarakam Province through an application of the AIC technique: appreciation (A); influence (I); and control (C). It was conducted as a pre-and-post test design in a period of 16 weeks from April to July 2013. Data were collcted by using a set of questionnaire developed by the researchers, with a reliability of 0.82. The statistics used for data analysis were percentage, mean, standard deviation, and paired t-test. It was found that the participants had significantly increased performance in physical excercise, consumption of non-toxic vegetabls and pro-health activities after the participation of the study. Several favorable outcomes were observed including the establishment of a physical exercise club, developing a durable exercise ground, setting-up of an EM fund, campaigning with members of every family to grow non-toxic vegetables for own consumption, setting-up of a community study center and utilizing village broadcasting network for disseminating health information. Therefore, the application of the AIC technique for the prevention of cancer, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases had resulted in significantly increasing the practices of physical exercise, nontoxic vegetable consumption and access to health promotion information among participating villagers; and the model should be widely promoted in other villages with similar circumstances.