Development of the Model for Managing the Problems on Unsafe Health Products with Community Involvement in Ban Koh Subdistrict, Non Sang District, Nong Bua Lampoo

Abstract

Objective: To develop the model for managing problems on unsafe health products with community involvement in the catchment area of Ban Koh subdistrict health promoting hospital (SDHPH), Non Sang  District, Nong Bua Lampoo. Method: This study was action research in 25 purposively selected participants including village health volunteers (VHV), patients, care givers, owners of grocery stores, community leaders, SDHPH officers, local government officials, and Non Sang District Permanent Secretary. The study was conducted through workshop using the AIC (appreciation-influence-control) principle allowing individuals and representatives of organizations in the community to participate in solving the problems. Evaluation was conducted using questionnaire measuring general knowledge on health products and attitude towards the handling of unsafe health products. Analysis of worksheets from the A-I-C process consisted of 3 parts: 1) review of past and present situations, and setting the future; 2) setting the priorities of the problems and 3) determining how to manage the problem. Subsequently, satisfaction of participants in the workshop using  the AIC process and their opinions towards establishing the surveillance center, “Khum Hao Khum Kan”, were assessed using a 5-level rating scale. In addition, the study assessed opinions on the workshop of five delegates selected by the researcher by observing and recording into open-ended questionnaires. Researcher with staff from Ban Kho SDHPH followed up the change in the community 2 months after the meeting. Results: The participants were most satisfied with the speakers' skills in knowledge transfer (mean 4.4 ± 0.80) and the opportunity for participants to ask questions or to express their opinions (mean 4.4 ± 0.63). The 3 main problems in the community were illegal drug selling by outsiders of the community, dangerous drugs in grocery stores, and exaggerated advertising from radio and television media Participants in the workshop had jointly set up a draft plan/project/ activity, equipment, budget and responsible person to tackle the problem of unsafe health products in the community Participants of the meeting were satisfied with the role of the "Khum Hao Khum Kan Center", namely "inspecting, warning, informing and receiving complaints” (mean 4.36±0.62). The follow up found that there was an increase of surveillance network of unsafe products by four spots from the existing one spot. The assessment showed that the village leader and VHVs at 4 spots were skilled in using steroid test kits, recording of data from the testing, and understood referral system of information in case of a positive preliminary testing found. There was a monitoring of 10 health products in the community. Positive steroid testing results were found in 3 health products including Chindamanee powder, various herbal pills, and dragon herb (traditional medicine capsule). Conclusion: The A-I-C process encourages community participation in problem management through the integration with the setting up of a health product surveillance and warning center in the community, "Khum Hao Khum Kan", allowing patients and people in the community to quickly access the safety checks of health products. The study resulted in a model of problem management through community participation, leading to the reduction of risk from using unsafe health products.