Model Development in Urban Community Health Screening by Village Health Volunteers and Primary Care Team

Model Development in Urban Community Health Screening

Abstract

Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the number one health problems in the world and in Thailand.  In 2018, Community Health Center, Mueang Phitsanulok  District had 44,442 visits (19,725 patients), 60.3% of which  were NCDs, leading to congestion of health care deliveries,  poor access to screening services and low community  participation. To provide an integrated care in urban area  for reducing health service congestion and improving self- care for patients with NCDs was crucial. This participatory  action research was conducted between January and  December 2019 with the aim of developing a health  screening model in urban communities by village health  volunteers (VHVs) and family doctor teams. The study was  conducted in 20 VHVs who voluntarily participated in the  research and people aged 35 years and over who lived in  the 4th family doctor team, Mueang Phitsanulok District,  135 people were randomly selected by drawing lots and  agreeing to participate in the research. The numbers,  percentages and median values (Q1, Q3) were presented.  Comparing data between the first six months and the last  six months with Wilcoxon signed rank statistics. The results  obtained an appropriate community-based screening and  monitoring model for blood pressure and blood sugar in  the community that promoted accessibility of service  recipients. The median number of visits (Q1, Q3) in the last  six months increased statistically significantly [145.5 (138,  209) monthly and 254.5 (202, 314) visits per month,  respectively (p = 0.027)]. Both service recipients and service  providers (VHVs) were satisfied with the highest level.  Therefore, this developed model should be used to  measure clinical outcomes.