Management of the Problem on Cosmetics with Prohibited Substances by Using Community Participation: A Case Study of Don-gloy Subdistrict, Phibunrak District in Udon Thani Province

Abstract

Objective: To develop a model for managing cosmetic problems containing prohibited substances by using community participation at Don-gloy subdistrict, Phibunrak district in Udon Thani province. Method: The researcher collected the problem of cosmetics containing prohibited substances in study area from the report on consumer protection of Don-gloy subdistrict health promoting hospital (SHPH) in the fiscal year 2016 and interview with responsible officers. There were 3 stages of problem management by the community: 1) preparation by organizing training and meeting among community members to brainstorm for the solutions of the problem. Participants in the training and meeting included community leaders, public health volunteers, representatives of groceries, and community representatives. Collectively determined measure to reduce the problem was the establishment of a center for warning, surveillance and compliant handling of the problem in the district with public health volunteers as the operator together with mentor or the officers in the SHPH. The researchers collected data from 60 participants before and after training on knowledge on purchasing cosmetics for acne, freckles, and face whitening. 2) activities of consumer protection in cosmetics involved the inspection of cosmetic selling stores, public education on knowledge on harm of substances prohibited in cosmetics, how to buy safe cosmetics and warning of harmful cosmetics in the community, and Informing legal penalties to entrepreneurs. 3) evaluation phase was conducted by assessing the potential of the warning center. Results: Community involvement in handling the problem included the identification of risks by raising community awareness on the problem, collective analysis of the problem, and selection of measures for risk reduction and risk communication, in order to cooperate with all sectors in monitoring progress and evaluation of problem handling. Knowledge related to acne, freckles and face whitening increased significantly after training. Assessment of the potential of the warning center revealed its strength at Level 4, implying being a community in the stage of development. Conclusion: The handling of the problem with participation of all sectors in the community through public education on knowledge about the harmful effects of substances prohibited in cosmetics, opening the forum for people in the community to understand the problem, finding the solution, choose an activity, and working cooperatively to handling the problem. Even though the evaluation of warning center reflected the community being in the stage of development, community representatives were happy and volunteered to work cooperatively