Reproductive Potential Devenlopment to Promote AIDS Protection in Tambon Level in Songkhla Province Using Community Participation: A Model of Health Promotion

Abstract

The research objective was to study the development of AIDS-preventive capability in reproductive females in the context of district (tumbol) level of Songkhla. The subjects, which were 278 reproductive females of age 15 to 45 from Pa-shing district, Amphoe Chana, Songkhla, were randomly selected. The quantitative data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed by statistical methods: percentile, median, standard deviation and t-test. The qualitative information was obtained through the small group seminars and in-depth interviews. The results were as follows:

Before joining the anchor network program, reproductive females in Pa-shing had the knowledge of AIDS, attitude, in sexual relation and AIDS, and AIDS-preventive skills and behaviors average scores ( ) of 4.61, 2.97, and 2.86 respectively. After the program, the average scores increased to 5.57, 3.15, and 3.03 respectively. The differences in all of three scores were by the statistical significance of .05.

The qualitative study revealed that promoting positive healthcare behaviors could be done effectively by employing the community involvement including encouraging the members to think, work, and organize by themselves using the internal community knowledge and strength. This approach made the groups and activities in the community sustainable and operational. Therefore, applying the community involvement in promoting AIDS-preventive capability of reproductive females in district level was successful, evidently by the increasing number of reproductive female with the proper knowledge, attitude, and behaviors in preventing AIDS.