Abstract
This was a participatory-action-research study aimed at examining a model healthpromoting
village, using community participation, conducted in three villages in Denchai
district, Phrae Province. The health-leading teams comprised 10 specifically selected persons
from each village, a total of 30 persons; representative villagers were 50 residents selected by simple random sampling from each village, a total of 150 respondents. Data
were collected by interviews, group discussion, and health leading-team conferences.
Results of the study revealed that health leading-teams were the leaders of developing,
controlling the plans and activities of health promoting villages and coordination with
other organizations. Health-promoting activities in the villages were as follows: 80 percent
of the villagers planted and consumed local vegetables, meaning that there was no
chemical contamination in food; there was one elderly social group in each village; because
of project implementation, the health knowledge of villagers was improved to 100
percent, which was statistically significant.
With regard to health problems, 49.3 percent of the villagers undertook regular physical
exercise for 30 minutes per day thrice a week; 88 percent washed their hands before
and after eating; 84 percent brought food substances approved by the Food and Drug
Administration as certified by labels and symbols; 75.3 percent eradicated mosquito breeding
sites; 73.3 percent were members of the “To Be Number One Club”, which works
against amphetamine addiction 88 percent had their blood pressure measured within
one year; 63.3 percent of the female villagers had had a pap smear examination; and 93.7
percent had performed breast examinations by themselves. Based on the results of the
study, the author suggests that community health promotion should be promoted and
models of implementation should be developed with the support of every organization
and civil society concerned. Government authorities should support community participation
in the management of health-promoting plans of the villages.
