Abstract
Malnutrition and dental problems in children have been identified as important
problems in Thailand. Several studies and research activities have been undertaken in
order to identify solutions, but the problems still exist. The Chiang-Klang Hospital Health
Team conducted a study by involving the community to become concerned about their
problems and become a part of the committee to solve problems themselves. Namkha
village in Phayakaew sub-district of Chiang-Klang was selected to be a community model.
A quality measurement study was conducted as PAR (Participatory Action Research).
The study was conducted between June 2002 and December 2003. Seven malnourished
children (15.22% of the total) were identifinal at the start (June 2002). No children (0%)
were seen with malnutrition after six months. The study team followed up the result for
one year and found that there were no cases of malnutrition. Dental health was significantly improved in both the nursery center and primary school. This study has shown
that the communityûs health problems had been completely solved because of the cooperation of the community itself, which had been involved in all the relevent steps: problem investigation, finding a solution and following up on the health-care procedures
adopted by the team.
