Research and Potential Development of Village Health Volunteer for the Care of Hight Blood Pressure at Risk Group, Chai Nat Province

Abstract

The action research focused on developing potential development of village health volunteers (VHV) for high blood pressure risk group, Chai Nat province. Samples were selected specifically from 30 VHV who have passed the training course, 30 people at risk for high blood pressure, and 2 public health workers. Qualitative Data were collected using the knowledge and skills questionnaire for VHV, health care behavior questionnaire for the high blood pressure risk group that analyzed by percentage distribution, paired t-test defines a significance level of .05 and using focus group discussion guideline, collecting qualitative data through content analysis. The research finding revealed that most VHV lacked knowledge, skills and were not confident in their roles to take care for high-blood pressure risk groups. The developmental strategy for VHV in the healthcare of high blood pressure at-risk groups in Chai Nat province involved a learning program through practice experience, consisting: 1) Developing knowledge 2) Enhancing skills and 3) Knowledge sharing. The results after capacity development showed that VHV group had increased knowledge and skills to a high level with statistical significance (p<0.05). The at-risk group had increased behavior with statistical significance (p<0.05) and systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure decreased statistically significantly (p<0.05) The group of healthcare workers learned from the practice of capacity development, thus reducing the burden of healthcare work at the local level. It should develop the competencies of healthcare professionals in learning programs to serve as ongoing mentors to VHV. It should develop the competencies of healthcare professionals in learning programs to serve as ongoing mentors to VHV.