The Development of Self-Care Behaviour Promotion Model for Leprosy Patients with Dyslipidemia at Raj Pracha Samasai Institute

Abstract

Objective: to study, develop and evaluate the self-care behaviour promotion model for leprosy patients with dyslipidemia at Raj Pracha Samasai Institute. Methods: this study employed a research and development model from March 16, 2024, to August 31, 2024. The process is divided into 4 phases: 1] Assess conditions and needs of the self-care behaviour promotion model. 2] Draft the self-care promotion model. 3] Test the model. 4] Evaluate the outcome of the developed model. Key informants were 10 leprosy patients with total cholesterol over 200 mg/dl, and 10 medical personnel. In the quantitative research, the sample group comprised 30 leprosy patients and 10 medical personnel selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected from non-participant observations and questionnaires, and were analysed by descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were collected from in-depth interviews and workshops, and analysed by content analysis. Results: Phase 1 showed that mostly elderly and disabled leprosy patients exhibited inappropriate behaviours concerning food, exercise, medicine, and managing stress. The old health promotion model was unclear and required self-care activities, a health care team, and guidelines. Phase 2 revealed that the self-care behaviour promotion model for leprosy patients with dyslipidemia at Raj Pracha Samasai Institute comprised: 1] health assessment; 2] health promotion activities, and 3] continuous care by development process, involving participation in analysing problems, workshops, and development. Phase 3 was the implementation phase, with a duration of 2 months, and Phase 4 involved evaluation of the model. The patients and medical personnel were very satisfied after model implementation. Conclusion: The self-care promotion model for leprosy patients with dyslipidemia can be used effectively. It can be considered sustainable with strong teamwork, providing self-care activities in response to the needs of patients, encompassing health food, exercise, and stress relief. The health care team support activities regularly and conduct follow up involving behavioural adjustments and an annual assessment of the lipid profile to prevent complications and cardiovascular disease.