Abstract:
The research aimed to: (1) investigate the factors and conditions that influence the development and effectiveness of Health Literacy Organizations (HLOs) in both Thailand and other countries, (2) analyse the health literacy learning process related to preventing chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and (3) propose guidelines for promoting the health literacy learning process to prevent chronic NCDs in HLOs, specifically in organisations and workplaces. It employed qualitative research methods to review online documents relevant to HLOs in Thailand and abroad. The review focused on countries in various regions of the world where the working-age population engages in lifestyle behaviours that lead to NCDs and have implemented health literacy promotion policies. This purposive sampling strategy was guided by recommendations from HLOs experts to examine the relevant context of HLOs from eight selected countries: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, Singapore, India, and Japan. In Thailand, the field data were collected from four organisations, chosen based on two criteria: (1) receiving the Health Literate Organisation Honour Award in 2018 from the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, and (2) being ranked in the top 10 by working-age individuals according to the 2019 survey by JobsDB Thailand. The selected organisations comprised: (1) the Urban Health Development Institute, (2) S&P Syndicate Public Company Limited, (3) PTT Public Company Limited, and (4) Siam Cement Public Company Limited. Through non-participatory observation, the research instruments, including observation forms and interview guides for key informants, were piloted at Benchachinda Holding Company Limited before actual fieldwork.Using both content analysis and typological analysis, the analyzed data on NCDs prevention health literacy in HLOs led to guidelines for promoting the learning process. These guidelines were developed by synthesizing the data and incorporating insights from seven health literacy experts through a focus group.The research findings found:1. Factors contributing to the status of HLOs include laws and policies, leadership, funding, and partnerships. In contrast, obstacles to becoming HLOs are economic slowdown, lifestyle preference, and social inequality.2. The health literacy learning process to prevent NCDs in HLOs include (1) HL concept, (2) objectives, (3) learning content, (4) learning activities, (5) environment, and (6) evaluation.3. Guidelines for promoting health literacy learning process to prevent NCDs in HLOs include (1) motivation, (2) access to information, (3) building understanding, (4) behaviour modification, (5) knowledge exchange, and (6) sustaining behaviour.