Model for Health Promotion in Early Childhood Development Centers in Nong Khai Province

Abstract

This research and development aimed to develop the model for promoting child health in early childhood development centers in Nong Khai province. The samples were 518 persons including public health officers, teachers and parents. This research methodologies were carried out in 4 stages: 1) studying the problems and needs for problems solving; 2) developing a model for promoting child health in early childhood development centers; 3) implementing the model; and 4) studying the appropriateness of the model. The statistics used for data analysis were descriptive statistics, Independent t-test and Paired sample t-test.

The results showed that the model consisted of 4 components: 1) inputs; 2) transformations; 3) outputs; and 4) environmental feedback. After implementing the model, the experimental group of teachers had significantly higher mean of knowledge and promoting child health than the comparison group at the 0.05 level. The experimental group of early childhood had significantly higher mean of child development and nutritional status than the comparison group at the 0.05 level. The experimental group of early childhood development centers had increasing using Thai school lunch program and kid diary program at the excellent level. The overall assessment of the appropriateness of the model indicated at a high level (x ̅=4.33, S.D.=0.36). To be having the sustainable outcomes, promoting childhood development centers for environmental safety management, utilizing data recording programs for child development and nutrition status assessment, along with continuous development for early childhood teachers should be supported for facilitating properly childhood development.