Systematic approach Systematic approach to PEST analysis for local administrative organization in local malaria elimination management in Thailand

Abstract

PEST (Political, Economic, Socio-cultural, and Technological) factors can influence or affect changes in environmental compliance of administration and capability of Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) in ways that SAO may or may not respond efficiently to malaria outbreak situations within its administrative area. The authors focus on PEST analysis framework that encompasses steps, processes, and procedures as strategic planning tool for PEST analysts as representative of SAO and other sectors responsible for local malaria control. These PEST analysts can scrutinize the impacts of PEST factors upon weighing the scale that is considered the strength of the influencing factors. Also, they can apply the Microsoft Excel program to design spreadsheet format and create function-based formula of weight-corrected scores of factors upon rating the score by expert review. Based on analysis in the context of Nakha SAO, PEST factors with weight-corrected scores included political factors (prevention and containment of diseases and community participation), social factors (population movement and risk behaviors of vulnerable population), and technological factor (communication). Outputs of the PEST factor analysis will be applied to or used in SWOT analysis, stakeholder analysis, or brainstorming processes that will generate new ideas of the development of models, approaches, measures, and activities suitable for malaria elimination management by SAO in the future.