Effectiveness of Health Education for Tuberculosis Patients by DEPNEAF Model, Nam Yuen Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop and assess a health education program for tuberculosis patients. It was conducted during the period from 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2018. There were 4 steps: (1) Planning, (2) Doing, (3) Checking, and (4) Action and Evaluation. The model was designed to cover the issues gathered and attended by the patient care committee (PCT Team) leading to the DEPNEAF model: D - drug, E - empowerment, P - prevention, N - nutrition. E - environment, A - abnormality observation, and F - follow-up. The sample group and informants were 150 new TB patients and 17 healthcare professionals. Data were collected through interviews and observation records; and were analyzed by using percentage statistics. It was found that the model was effective in the control of tuberculosis among the study samples: the patient’s self-care performance increased to 97%, the rates of loss follow up and the lack of medication were 0%, the satisfaction rate of tuberculosis patients increased to 93% from the start of 78%, and similar satisfaction was observed in healthcare professionals. Nurses had provided comprehensive health education in accordance with the health education model with 100% coverage. The results of this study indicated that the health education of TB patients by DEPNEAF had resulted in the correct behaviors of Tuberculosis patients. The rate of loss to follow up was zero as well as the rate of interrupted treatment; and the satisfaction increased in both patients and healthcare professionals. Therefore the health education of tuberculosis patients using DEPNEAF model should be expanded and it could also cover patients with other diseases.