รูปแบบการส่งเสริมสุขภาพเด็กปฐมวัยให้สูงดีสมส่วน โดยใช้กระบวนการมีส่วนร่วมของภาคีเครือข่าย อำเภอศรีณรงค์ จังหวัดสุรินทร์

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: Early childhood is a period of rapid growth and development in many areas, requiring food and energy to support age-appropriate growth and development. Promoting nutrition in pregnant women and young children, which is fundamental to life, aims to achieve demonstrable health outcomes in early childhood, particularly in terms of growth.

Objective: To develop and study the outcomes of implementing a model for promoting healthy growth and development in early childhood using a participatory process involving network partners in real-world settings.

Methods: This research employed an action research design, conducted in Si Narong District. The sample consisted of three groups: 1) Six early childhood caregivers in child development centers; 2) Thirty-six parents of preschool children with disproportionate assessment scores; and 3) Twenty relevant network partners. A purposive sampling method was used to collect the data. Qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions and debriefing, while quantitative data were collected from questionnaires and a screening tool for well-proportioned preschool children. Data were analyzed using percentages, means, standard deviations, paired samples t-test, and content analysis.

Results: The study found that the model for promoting healthy growth and development in early childhood, using a participatory process involving network partners, consisted of: 1) developing the capacity of parents, village health volunteers (VHVs), and childcare providers in early childhood development centers to acquire knowledge and skills in promoting healthy growth and development in early childhood; 2) developing the participation of VHV networks to visit, weigh, measure, and assess the development of all children in the community; 3) developing a database of early childhood children; and 4) conducting home visits. Following the development of this model, parents of early childhood children showed a significant increase in their knowledge and understanding of food and nutrition for young children ( =14.45, S.D.=0.47), a positive attitude ( =2.91, S.D.=0.09), and improved behavior in preparing food for young children ( =4.34, S.D.=0.48). A comparison of the average scores for knowledge, attitude, and behavior in preparing food for young children revealed positive results. Before and after the development, a significant difference was found: after the development, participation was significantly higher than before (p<0.05). Stakeholder networks showed a high level of participation and satisfaction after the development ( =3.95, S.D.=0.68) ( =4.08, S.D.=0.81). Comparing the average scores for participation and satisfaction before and after the development, a significant difference was found to be after the development (p<0.05). This indicates that the outcome of the early childhood health promotion program, aiming for healthy height and weight, includes comprehensive monitoring and screening of all early childhood children through weight and height measurements, and the ability to follow up, assist, and refer all early childhood children with weight and weight issues for nutritional support.

Recommendation: The model for promoting healthy growth and development in early childhood, utilizing a participatory process involving stakeholders, should be fully implemented throughout the area. Furthermore, promoting healthy growth and development in early childhood should be established as a key policy of the district, utilizing the management mechanism of the District-level Quality of Life Development Committee

Keywords: Promoting healthy growth and development in early childhood; participatory process; network partnerships