ปัจจัยที่มีความสัมพันธ์กับความรอบรู้ด้านสุขภาพและพฤติกรรมของอาสาสมัครสาธารณสุข ประจำหมู่บ้านในการป้องกันโรคอุบัติใหม่และโรคอุบัติซ้ำ อำเภอโซ่พิสัย จังหวัดบึงกาฬ

Aphinan Chanpadta; Nadchanan Wongchalee; Nisachon Bubpa

Authors

Aphinan Chanpadta Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University
Nadchanan Wongchalee Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University
Nisachon Bubpa Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University

Keywords:

health literacy, disease prevention behaviors, emerging and re-emerging diseases, village health volunteers

Abstract

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to 1) examine the health literacy and behaviors of Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) in preventing emerging and re-emerging disease; and 2) investigate the relationships between personal factors, external factors, and operational factors with the VHVs' health literacy and preventive behaviors. A total of 319 VHVs in So Phisai District, Bueng Kan Province, Thailand, were selected as the study sample. Data collection was conducted using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analytical statistics, including Spearman’s rank correlation, Pearson’s correlation, biserial correlation, and Eta correlation.

The findings revealed that most VHVs were female, aged between 41-60 years, engaged in agriculture, and had an average of 13.69 years of experience. The VHVs demonstrated a very high level of health literacy ( $\bar{X}$ =129.79, SD=18.96) and a high level of disease prevention behaviors ( $\bar{X}$ =4.29, SD=0.52). External factors ( $\bar{X}$ =4.06, SD=0.66) and operational factors ( $\bar{X}$ =4.21, SD=0.77) also showed high average scores. Factors associated with health literacy included chronic disease status, history of emerging and re-emerging diseases, training courses attended, participation in proactive community activities, perceptions and involvement in proactive health services, use of online media, reinforcement from others, role in disease prevention, and operational support factors.

Regarding factors related to disease prevention behaviors, overall health literacy was positively correlated with disease prevention behaviors (r_s=0.730, p<0.001). One aspect of health literacy, health knowledge, showed no correlation with prevention behavior (p=0.190). The remaining five aspects showed a significant positive correlation with disease prevention behavior: access to health information and services (p<0.001), communication skills (p<0.001), correct decision-making skills (p<0.001), selfmanagement skills (p<0.001), and skills in offering alternatives to others (p<0.001).

The study recommends enhancing the integration of local public health strategies, developing health information and disease surveillance systems, and fostering supportive environments through local administrative organizations and health-promoting hospitals, as well as strengthening leadership, and promoting community participation to enhance VHVs’ and communities’ capacity for robust and sustainable disease prevention and control.

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