Health Behavior after A Multiprofessional Intervention and Training for Ongoing Volunteer-Based Community Health Programme Intervention in the North-East of Thailand: What Changed and What not?

Abstract

This qualitative research within the project entitled “Multiprofessional Intervention and training forOngoing Volunteer-based Community Health Programs in the Northeast of Thailand (MITV-NET)” was aimedat explaining changes of health behavior of community people in the Northeast after the intervention. Theparticipants comprised 15 community volunteers and 27 villagers. Data were collected by indepth interview, focusgroup discussion, participation and non-participation observation, and note taking. Analyses were conducted inparallel with data collection, through content and comparative analysis. It was found that the health behavior fellinto 2 categories: easy-to-change and difficult-to-change. The former involved fun activities joined by communitypeople that improved their health or made them recover from illnesses after a short period without becomingaddicted. These activities could be done by themselves, for example, exercising and cooking. The difficult-to-change health behavior is habitual, for example, chewing betel nuts or eating uncooked food. The followingfactors were found affecting behavioral changes: 1) underlying disease; 2) enjoyment in doing activities; 3)habitual behaviour; 4) improved health in a short period; 5) ability of community leaders and volunteers; and6) community health-supporting resources. It is suggested that improving people’s health requires cooperationof community people through fun activities and some initial external support. People who persist in bad habitsshould be encouraged to stop by showing them health deteriorating effects.