Competency Development of Village Health Volunteers Regarding Emergency Care for Elderly with Alcohol Use in Don Kaew Sub-district, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai

Abstract

This action research aimed to: 1) study the ability level of village health volunteers (VHVs) to provide emergency care for elderly with alcohol use in the community, 2) competency development the VHVs regarding emergency care for elderly with alcohol use in the community. Participants were 30 VHVs who were responsible for mental health care in Donkaew sub-district, Mearim district, Chiang Mai. The study was conducted during the period of January – August, 2015. Research tools were: 1) ability assessment form, 2) Training scenario, and 3) evaluation of community participation. Content validity of the research tools were confirmed by a panel of three experts. The IOC ranged from 0.87 to 1.0 Its reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient yielding a value of 0.7 Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

The results of this study found that most of the VHVs knowledge and attitude regarding the emergency care for elderly with alcohol use at a moderate level (83.3% and 50%, respectively). And most of their prior experience was at a low level (36.7%). After conducting the development, their ability increased: the knowledge of the increased to a moderate and a high level (46.7% and 56.7 % respectively).

These findings can be used as a database to further study on VHVs increased to a moderate and a high level (60% and 93.33%, respectively), the attitude increased to a moderate and a high level (53.3% and 63.3 %, respectively), and the program may allow VHVs to have knowledge, attitude and practice in emergency care for elderly with alcohol use improved at 3,6 months, and most of the sample agreed with the program, and should be increased communication channels between participants.