Tavorn Maton. Development of a community-based model to prevent Avian influenza in Song Phi Nong district, Suphan Buri province, Thailand . Doctoral Degree(Tropical Medicine). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2006.
Development of a community-based model to prevent Avian influenza in Song Phi Nong district, Suphan Buri province, Thailand
Abstract:
Avian influenza (AI) is an infectious disease spread among poultry and transmitted to humans
by contacting infected or dead animals. In Thailand, the cumulative prevalence of AI (January 2004 to
December 2005) was 22 cases and 14 deaths. Three confirmed cases were reported in Suphan Buri in
2004. Outbreaks of AI among poultry remain endemic at present. The study design is an action research
to initially explore knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about avian influenza among the
population, and later, to implement a prevention and control program based on a community
participation approach. The initial survey interviewed 784 subjects sampled by multi-stage random
sampling from 14 sub-districts in Song Phi Nong District, Suphan Buri Province, located 80 kms
northwest of Bangkok. The quantitative results showed that 85.1% of the study subjects had a moderate
level knowledge (7-12, of a total of 18 scores) and practices (10-20, of a total of 30 scores) in the
prevention and control of AI and 98.9% had highest positive attitudes (35-51, of a total 51 scores)
towards AI prevention and control. Family income was significantly related to attitudes and behaviors
(χ2 = 8.267, P = 0.016). Educational level was significantly related to knowledge of disease (χ2 = 9.486,
P = 0.009). Having children and/or elderly in family were significantly related to practices (χ2 = 7.062,
P=0.029). Received information was significantly related to knowledge (χ2 = 4.322, P = 0.001),
attitudes (χ2 = 25.388, P = 0.001) and practices (χ2 = 14.163, P = 0.001). Raising and killing domestic
poultry for consumption in family were significantly related to practices (χ2 = 80.415, P = 0.001; χ2 =
10.187, P = 0.006, respectively).
The second stage of the study was an implementation conducted in a selected village, Ban
Vang Ta Ku, Thung Khok Sub-district, under the community-based empowerment program (CBEP).
The program emphasized KAP for AI, personal and family protection and increased self-efficacy, and
self-esteem, for 24 key community stakeholders and 199 household representatives. The program
trained the community stakeholders in self-efficacy for this active, participative learning process.
Workshops and training were organized twice onsite at the start of implementation, and at one week.
The latter was based on participatory learning action for personal knowledge of AI prevention, farming
protection, surveillance and report of disease occurrence, and a community campaign. The community
stakeholders had self-assignments and continued working with 199 households in their geographic area.
The study evaluated the program by conducting two data collections, with baseline and final data
collections in both groups (24 stakeholders and 199 householders).
The program was quite successful, with KAP levels for AI, hand washing with soap behaviors,
self-efficacy, and necessary perception of prevention and control, significantly higher than before the
implementation. Householder satisfaction and participation in the activities had higher levels to the
project activities (98.3 and 80.9%, respectively). Logistic regression analysis suggested that selfefficacy
score, practice score, and factors of raising poultry, and learning information predicted
increased chance of program participatory activities.
Results of the study can be applied with other communities having a high incidence of AI.
Knowledge, attitudes, practices, information, and learning experiences gained from the study are helpful
in developing AI prevention and control programs. Furthermore, the study model affected a reduction in
the incidence rate, and promoted AI-preventive behaviors.