An evaluation of perception of information on diseases, Disease prevention and control behavior and public image of Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 3 among Thai people in Health Zone 3, 2018

Abstract

This research aimed to study (1) perception of information on diseases, access to and sources of such information, satisfaction level with such information, knowledge and behaviors related to disease prevention and control; (2) the factors related to knowledge and behaviors with respect disease prevention and control; and (3) public image of the Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 3, Nakhon Sawan Province (ODPC 3) among Thai people in 2018. This study was a field survey. The sample consisting of 1,200 persons from all provinces in Health Zone 3 was randomly chosen using multiple steps. The data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed by descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and Person’s correlation coefficient. The results indicated that most respondents (1) had overall perception of information (98.8%), and high level of perception (67.3%); the top 3 sources of information were public health staff (97.4%), television and cable TV (97%), and village health volunteers (96.1%); satisfaction with information on diseases and disease prevention and control behavior at a high level (94.7%); high level of good knowledge (76.7%); and found to have the behaviors that are suitable for disease prevention and control at a high level (82.3%). (2) The gender, age, education, and occupation significantly correlated with knowledge and disease prevention behaviors (p<0.05); and (3) public image of ODPC 3 had received positive opinion at a high level of 92.8%. The results of this study suggested that national health agencies should step up a campaign to publicize knowledge and appropriate disease prevention behaviors on television, especially about common cold and cardiovascular disease. In the meantime, regional health agencies should take advantage of personal media (health personnel and health volunteers) that have the potential for effective risk communications by assigning key messages that are appropriate to the target group and the local context of the area.