The Development of Self Health Care Model among Hypertension Patients at Nakratham Sub District, Chumphon Province

Abstract

This action research aimed to develop a self-care model for hypertensive patients in Na Kratam Subdistrict, Chumphon Province. The sample consisted of 146 participants divided into three groups: 36 health officials and community representatives, 55 village health volunteers, and 55 hypertensive patients. The PDCA cycle was employed, and data were collected using knowledge tests, attitude and practice questionnaires, SWOT analysis, A-I-C technique, and participatory observation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The research was conducted in three phases: 1) reviewing data, policies, and problems, conducting SWOT analysis and using A-I-C technique to establish strategies for developing community network teams, 2) developing network team capacity through three projects: knowledge development, guideline development, and patient self-care development, and 3) implementing self-care development for hypertensive patients. Results showed that after development, patients' knowledge, attitudes, and self-care practices improved. The developed self-care model comprised four activities: participatory workshops, strategy and capacity development planning, project implementation, and observation and evaluation. This model can be adapted to different contexts and further developed for the benefit of medical and public health sectors.