Effect of the Peer Support Model to Improve Production Facilities of Drinking Water in Sealed Containers in Accordance with the Good Manufacturing Practices : A Case Study of Amnatcharoen Province

Abstract

Objective: To resolve the problem on failing to meet the standard among production facilities of drinking water in sealed containers (PFs of DWSC) located in in Amnatcharoen Province by using the Peer Support Model and to study knowledge, attitude, and the behavior of the entrepreneurs of the PFs of DWSC. Methods: The research was divided into 2 phases. Phase 1 involved the inspection of the PFs of DWSC according to the criteria for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) or Tor Sor.3(50), and assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards being a PFs of DWSC meeting the standard among the entrepreneurs by using a questionnaire. Phase 2 was a quasi-experimental study by implementing peer support program to address the problem on failing to meet the standard among the PFs of DWSC. The study measured the outcomes before and after program implementation using the assessment form from the Phase 1. Results: The assessment of the PFs after participating in the peer support program found that all those failing to meet the standard showed improvement of quality score from 56.8 points before joining the program (from a full score of 100) to 76.8 points after the program. Their knowledge improved from 20.02 ±3.61 out of a full score of 35 to 26.02 ±2.60 after implementation of the program. Conclusion: Implementation of the peer support program had resulted in the improvement of the PFs, and an ongoing network of entrepreneurs.