Development of Health Indicator Setting Process for Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital in Pathum Thani Province

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a process for defining successful indicators for health-related operations at Sub-district Health Promotion Hospitals (SHPHs) in Pathum Thani Province, A participatory approach was employed with involvement from various local sectors to ensure that the indicators reflect community problems and needs. The data collection tools included summary reports of indicator definition, observation of brainstorming sessions, and in-depth interviews. The sample group consisted of 15 individuals from government/political networks, academic/professional sectors, and civil society. Data analysis involved calculating frequencies and percentages for quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data. The results reveal that the participatory approach, which involved the Health Assembly process to gather community input on determining indicators, helped align the indicators with the community’s needs and problems. Health officials in the area also accepted and were willing to cooperate in reporting results for 20 indicators. Of these, 10 indicators were mandatory across all areas, while the remaining 10 indicators depended on the priority issues identified by the relevant networks within the community. The indicators covered health promotion, communicable disease control, non-communicable disease control, environmental and occupational health, dental public health, and primary healthcare, with the highest importance placed on the latter. Recommendations suggest that the development of indicators should respond to the needs of the community, emphasizing participation from all sectors. Indicators can be categorized as follows: 1) those necessary for the national context, 2) those developed by local public health experts to improve quality of life based on local contexts and 3) community-driven indicators that are create and owned by the community. Continuous monitoring and evaluation should also be conducted.