Potential development of Village Health Volunteer Home doctor for control and prevention Coronavirus Disease 2019, Nakhon Nayok Province

Abstract

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 is an international public health emergency and has spread across Thailand and Nakhon Nayok Province. The objectives of the study were to investigate the situation, develop a model and evaluate the potential development of VHV home doctors for the control and prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Method: Through an action research design, the study investigated a sample group of 428 village health volunteer home doctors, the president of village health volunteers, and those responsible for public health works in Nakhon Nayok Province. The instruments were a document review form, a questionnaire, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussion. The validity of the instruments was assessed using the Index of Item Objective Congruence, and the score was between 0.60-0.90. The reliability determined by Cronbach’s alpha was 0.79. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, dependent t-test, and content analysis were used for analyzing data.

Results: After the potential of volunteer home doctors were enhanced, the level of their knowledge increased from 13.70 to 18.40 points. Their attitude increased from 16.40 to 25.20 points, and their control behaviors for the prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 increased from 20.10 to 30.40 points with a statistical significance at p<0.001 level.

Conclusion: Potential development of village health volunteer home doctors for the control and prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 can help enhance their knowledge as well as improving their attitudes and behaviors towards the prevention of the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019.