Capacity Development for Pre-Hypertension in Pratuchangtok Community, Thaiburi Sub-District, Thasala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province - การพัฒนาศักยภาพกลุ่มเสี่ยงระยะก่อนความดันโลหิตสูง ในชุมชนประตูช้างตก ตำบลไทยบุรี อำเภอท่าศาลา จังหวัดนครศรีธรรมราช

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop a model to build capacity for the prevention and
control of hypertension in Pratuchangtok Community, Thaiburi Sub-District, Thasala District, Nakhon
Si Thammarat Province. The study method included observation, in-depth interview, focus group
discussion and evaluation of blood pressure level. Hypertension was identified by the community as an
important health problem which required an urgent control action. Sixty community members at risk of
hypertension were selected to participate in process which included workshops, group discussions,
trainings, and skill building. The process was conducted in four phases: phase 1 - preparation of
research assistants, selection of study site, and community assessment; phase 2 - community health
diagnosis; phase 3- programme implementation using quasi-experimental technique approach to improve
knowledge on hypertension prevention and encouraging participants’ potential in implementation
through focus group discussion and community participation; and phase 4 - evaluation of programme
implementation and its impact on participants’ behavior and blood pressure level. It was found that after
the intervention, participants had significantly better knowledge and desirable health behaviours (p<0.01).
As for the outcomes on blood pressure at the end of the intervention, there were 2 participants with
optimal blood pressure (systolic pressure <120 and diastolic <80), 48 participants with normal blood
pressure (systolic pressure 120-129 and/or diastolic 80-84), and 10 participants with high-normal
blood pressure (systolic pressure 130 -139 or and/ diastolic 85-89).
Key words: capacity building, hypertension, participatory health care model