The communication process of the village health volunteers with Hypertension disease patients : A case study of Khukkhak sub-district Takuapa district Phang-Nga province
Abstract:
This qualitative research was aimed to study : 1) the communication process of the village health volunteer with hypertension disease patients, 2) the supporting factors for the success of the communication process, and 3) barriers for an effective communication process of the village health volunteers (VHV) with hypertension disease patients. The study was conducted at Khukkhak Sub-district, Takuapa District in Phang-Nga province. Questionnaires and an in-depth interview were used to collect data from 22 village health volunteers who were responsible for non-communicable diseases control. A focus group discussion was held by 13 people consisting of the Village Health Volunteers Club President and other members. Ten patients with hypertension disease who had been in communication with the village health volunteers were randomly selected. The data collection with the ten patients included non-participatory observation, an in-depth interview, and a focus group discussion. The collected data was then analyzed by a content-based method.
The communication process of the village health volunteers with hypertension diseases patients consisted of the following : 1) Methods of communication : the village health volunteers communicated with the patients by speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Gestures and an informal two-way communication were also used. Most volunteers had high self-esteem, but some found it difficult to communicate with patients. Regarding the attitudes towards the disease, most of the volunteers considered hypertension as a preventable and curable disease. They felt sympathetic toward the patients and wanted to provide information for them. Most of the volunteers had a moderate to high level of knowledge about hypertension disease. The volunteers were able to speak dialects and communicate their beliefs in looking after the public health. 2) Message : The volunteers provided the following information to the patients : taking medication, proper diet, exercises, stress management, refraining from smoking and alcohol, regular measurement of blood pressure level, and surveillance for complicated diseases. 3) Communication Channels : The volunteers communicated with patients through eyes, ears, mouth and hand touching. Personal media, brochures, posters, signs and radio stations were employed in communicating with the patients 4) Recipients : most of the hypertension patients had effective listening and speaking skills ; they had good attitudes and were not serious about their illness. Most of them took good care of their health and some were afraid of complications. Regarding communication, they had a good attitude towards communication with the village health volunteers. They were willing to listen to advice and to cooperate with a screened appointment.
The factors to enhance the success of the communication process were found as follows : 1) Senders : the volunteers possessed effective communication skills. They were able to retrieve knowledge about the disease from various media and follow-up their communication 2) Media : most of the volunteers had personal media and who could access the patients and provided information clearly. 3) Recipients : patients were aware of chances for complicating the diseases and therefore controlled the blood pressure level. 4) Social network : there was a good network of communication in this community which consisted of health practitioners, village health volunteers, community leaders and patients. 5) Social and emotional support : the patients were satisfied with and appreciated the support from health professionals, books, magazines, brochures, radio and internet support as well as equipment from the health promoted hospital.
The barriers of the communication process were found as follows : 1) Methods of communication : some patients had poor eyesight and could not read. 2) Media : The media used was found inappropriate and uninteresting. 3) Recipients : some patients had no time for communication, and were unhappy with the services from the volunteers. Many were still eating the same kind of food which was found unhealthy.
The results of this study made the researcher and health volunteers understand an effective communication process that can be applied to the work with hypertension patients. The volunteers should have knowledge about symptoms, diet and drug treatment of hypertension disease, and complications from high blood pressure. The communication skills of the village health volunteers as well as their communication network should be developed. The participation of private and public sectors should be encouraged to improve the communication process of the volunteers to work with hypertension groups more efficiently in the future.