Abstract:
This case study research had two objectives: firstly to analyze the developmental process of pledge-taking savings groups for health promotion and secondly to synthesize a model of the developmental process of pledge-taking savings groups. Four pledge-taking savings groups from four Tambols in Songkhla Province participated in this study. These Tambols were: Tumbon Namkhao, Tumbon Nawa, Tumbon Khlongpia, and Tumbon Khorhong. The informants consisted of aged villagers, community developmental leaders, group leaders, committees and members of the pledge-taking savings groups. Data collection involved a review of relevant documents, in-depth interview, participant observation, field note taking and photo taking over a period of 10 months from October, 2005 to July, 2006. Data were analysed by using the content analysis method. Synthesis of the developmental process of pledge-taking savings groups for health promotion was approved by the experts; presented in the seminar for the leaders of pledge - taking savings groups to review for its practicality. The study revealed that: 1. The term "health" was described by the pledge-taking savings groups as "happiness" or "distress free". There are 4 dimensions of health: physical, mental, social, and psychospiritual (wisdom) health. These dimensions are interrelated and influenced by each other. Physical health is happiness, as a result of having a healthy body where as mental health is happiness, as a result of having a stress-free mind. Social health is happiness as a result of the ability of an individual to function, to live harmoniously with others, to create a warm family and to help and share within the community. The physical, mental and social health relied on psychospiritual (wisdom) health. That is the way of thought that directs human behavior must be congruent with both social and physical environment leading to happiness. 2. The gathering of pledge-taking savings groups was a result of modernization and materialization. This developmental process used money as a tool to develop morality (pledge). Group members learned how to be independent and shared with others. The four stages of the developmental process that evolved included: 1 ) people gathering, 2) group establishment, 3) an expansion concept of welfare benefits and network establishment, and 4) expansion of the scope of social activities and social welfare which was further driven to be public policy. Each stage of the developmental process effected health promotion in both similar and different manners. 3. The synthesis of development process model of pledge - taking savings groups for health promotion consisted of 3 stages, 3.1) community assessment is the step of readiness evaluation for group establishment consisting of 3 factors; a) needs of community, b) leadership of groups leaders, and c) relationship of people in the community 3.2) Process of groups establishment consisting of 3 steps; 1) money saving promotion is the step of groups members and money recruitment. The emphasis was placed on selection of faithful committee members, acceptable, flexible and realistic rules, documenting system, accountable financing system, and using social rule in controlling groups members, 2) utilization of save money emphasizing on the direct benefits of the group member in two ways; providing loan and welfare benefits ; 3) utilization of save money for benefits of the public and 3.3) Evaluation of the development of pledge - taking savings groups for health promotion using 4 indicators ; amount of saving and money sources in the community, life-long rang of welfare benefit, having learning activities and networking and creative community activities leading to holistic health promotion.