Development of Application on Smartphone for Health Communication, Prevention and Control of Dengue for grades 4-6 students in Nakhon Si Thammarat District Municipality

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the situation and needs for Health communication related to dengue hemorrhagic fever and satisfaction with the use of the application developed through the LINE Official Account format for the communication of dengue prevention and control by using The Research and Development design in elementary school students in grades 4-6 in 5 schools located in Nakhon Si Thammarat municipality. The samples included school executives, 10 health education teachers, 40 student leaders, and 250 target students.  Data collection was conducted through interviews, small group meetings, and questionnaires during October 2020 - September 2021.

The results of the study showed an average of 2-5 students in each school suffered from dengue fever per year. The community and temples surrounding the schools had the mosquito larval index exceeded the standard threshold. A half of the students are well versed in mosquito management. Smartphone ownership and use was at 100%.  Most of them use Line App to communicate with teachers and friends. All have a desire to communicate about dengue fever with an application developed through the Line Official Account called Dek Kon Roo Tun Yung Lai that contains content, images and video clips with the capability to share pictures of students' mosquito larvae removal activities. The overall content satisfaction was at a high level ( =4.05, SD.=1.0), the overall function aspect wase moderate level ( = 3.10, SD. = 0.07), while the overall style aspect was high ( = 4.05, SD. = 0.23) and the benefits in risk communication was high ( = 4.18, SD. = 0.20). Suggestions: The functions should be developed to be more interesting and adding other disease and other health hazards issues. Local health authorities should propose as a policy for future development and implementation.