Development of The Health Literacy Model for Liver Fluke Prevention Among Students in Remote Area Schools under The Royal Development Project in Region 10.

Abstract

          This study was performed to develop a health literacy model for liver fluke prevention among students in remote area schools under the royal development project in Region 10. Action research consisted of 3 phases; phase 1 situation analysis related to health literacy/ liver fluke prevention behavior; Phase 2 model development; and Phase 3 evaluation health literacy model, from November 2020 to July 2022. The participants were 22 provincial and district health officers, 22 teachers, 44 community leaders, and 268 students. Questionnaires and interview guidelines were used to gather data.
          The results revealed that a health literacy model for liver fluke prevention should consist of 1) building responsibility leaders to develop a health literacy process; 2) integrated operations through public health, school, and community section; 3) development of knowledge and skills of health literacy facilitators; 4) implementation of liver fluke prevention in school and community; and 5) monitor and evaluations health literacy model for liver fluke prevention in a remote area under the royal development project. The average health literacy skill and knowledge score increased statistically significantly after the interventions ( =0.42, 95%CI: 0.34 -0.48, and = 0.06, 95%CI: 0.02-0.11, p-value< 0.001, respectively). However, the uncooked eating behaviors score was no different after intervention ( =0.04, 95%CI: 0.02 - 0.12, p-value= 0.127).
          In conclusion, leaders of relevant networks should be selected to participate in the implementation. Supporting activities to promote health knowledge, prevention, and control of liver fluke disease in schools and communities continuously in the same area. Strengthen environmental and social factors encouraging to health. Extend the results of health literacy development to cover more target schools in the project. Moreover, monitoring and evaluation of operations should be performed to achieve sustainable results.