The Development of the "Pathum Model" to Improve Healthcare in Children aged 0 to 5 years old

Abstract

The development of model to promote early childhood development is a vital point in the present.  The aim of the participatory action research was to create the "Pathum Model" and evaluate its effectiveness in enhancing the health of children 0–5 years old.  The research consisted of three phases: 1) preparation and analysis, 2) development, and 3) evaluation.  The samples included 10 participants from the family, children, and community committee for the first phase were; and 16 pregnant women receiving antenatal care at the Pathum Sub-District Health Promoting Hospital as well as 74 parents, and 56 community leaders for the second and third phases. Instruments included record forms (the analysis, development of model, nutrition and development), questionnaires (the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of expectant mothers and their parents), and evaluation form (participation and satisfaction). The quantitative data were mainly analyzed through descriptive statistics and a statistical paired t-test and the qualitative data were mainly analyzed through content analysis. The findings showed six parts. Firstly, the Pathum model's development findings offered three recommendations in light of the findings: 1) providing a training course to develop the potential of pregnant women and their parents , demonstrating the proper nutritional practices and assessment together with evaluating the child development with the technique called “Eat, Hug, Play, Tell”; 2) establishing a participatory community leadership network; and 3) promoting the access to proactive health services such direct screening of a child development and home visits). Secondly, there was an establishment of the schemes called “A Merit Road and The Fresh Milk Fund” for pregnant women and children. Thirdly, the mean scores of knowledges, attitudes and practices of pregnant women and parents after joining the training program were significantly increased (P < 0.001). Fourthly, pregnant women and parents expressed the highest level of satisfaction with the Pathum Model (57%). Fifthly, the community leaders participated in this program at a high level (83.9%). Lastly, the children showed the age-matched development (93.4%) and the suitable nutrition (92.1%). Therefore, the Pathum Model that was developed to relate to community context proved successful in enhancing the health of children aged 0-5.