Health Care Model for Woven Mats Workers in Ban Nongkham, Kantarawichai District, Mahasarakham Province

Abstract

This action research aimed to study health problems, and occupational safety
behavior of woven mats workers and tested the effects of a model to increase awareness
about occupational safety. A total of 32 woven mats workers at the Nongkham, Kantarawichai
District, Mahasarakham Province were selected for this study. The study was carried through
4 phases: Phase 1: studying health problems and occupational safety behavior of woven
mats workers; Phase 2: studying health care model for woven mats workers. Phase 3: the
model pilot study; and Phase 4: result evaluation and reflection. Both qualitative and
quantitative data were collected. Descriptive statistic and Paired t-test and Wilcoxon
Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks Test were used for data analysis.
The results showed that the majority of the workers were females (96.9%). The
mean age was 61.8 year,. All of them manufactured the mats in order to gain some extra
money. All of them reported to have health problems from weaving the mats. Most of
them (96.9%) suffered from some sort of mild sickness once or twice a year. (78.1%). The
health care model of woven mats workers consisted of health care education, exercise,
woven mats group establishment and working environment improvement. To improve their
well being health care education were provided, they were asked to exercise more and
work in a more pleasant environment. After 3 months of implementing of the health care
model it was found that occupational safety behaviors significantly increased: this applied to
the physical (p-value=0.002),chemical (p-value<0.001), and biological (p-value= 0.003)
environment. The working ergonomic situation improved (p-value<0.001), accidents were
avoided (p-value=0.005); health promotion accepted (p-value<0.001); and knowledge
about occupational health and safety improved (p-value<0.001).
In conclusion, the results revealed that the health care model for woven mats
workers could be used for promoting occupational health and safety. To solve occupational
health and safety effectively, collaboration among relevant agencies should be considered
and encourage.