Research and development of service assistance model for tuberculosis and leprosy patients who face social problems in the lower north of Thailand.

Abstract

Tuberculosis and leprosy are communicable diseases that can spread through the respiratory tract from person to person. Most of the unsuccessful patients have social and economic problems. They lack social support and social networks. This research design was an action research and development. The aim was to develop a model of service assistance system for tuberculosis and leprosy patients who were facing social problems in the lower northern areas. The study areas were in Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, Phetchabun, Sukhothai and Tak provinces. The duration of research is between 2014 - 2018. Research had five steps. 1) In 2014, situation analysis of tuberculosis and leprosy in the lower north, by quantitative and qualitative literature reviews of social support theory and social networks to develop a social assistance system for patients facing social problems. 2) In 2015, developed the model of social assistance from the cooperation of social networks. Consisting of a set of activities, tools, work flow and management systems of social assistance. 3) In the year 2016, the model was tested and improved to appropriate fit the context of the area. 4) In the year 2017, the model was scaled up for larger sample size with effectiveness evaluation. 5) In the year 2018, publicized the model in an academic journal. Quantitative analysis was performed by descriptive statistics, number, percentage, mean and qualitative analysis by content analysis. The lower north had a social assistance model to help TB and leprosy with social problems. 97 percent of patients who were assisted were successfully treated for tuberculosis. 100 percent of leprosy patients were relieved with rehabilitation for disability. Both tuberculosis and leprosy patients received social care from social networks, the public, private and people sectors. Further research and development of social assistance model to non-Thai tuberculosis and leprosy patients with no health insurance is recommended.