Source of Information and Experience of Participation in Elderly Health Promotion Program Funded by National Health Security Local Fund in Northeastern Part of Thailand

Abstract

Background: Thailand has been deployed the health coverage policy which integrated into the activities

of health promotion hospitals and the local administrative organization to provide the health promotion

program for Thai people. Due to the population aging in Thailand had been increasing and expanding the

number which experiences aging process incorporate with underlying diseases.

Objectives: This study aims to assess sources of information and experiences of participated proportion in

health promotion programs among the elderly funded by the National Health Security Local Fund (NHSLF)

in Northeastern Part of Thailand.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted. Sample size calculation to estimate a proportion and

systematic sampling was used. The sample included 577 elders 60 or more years of age, registered at 54

Primary Care Unit (PCU) and health promotion hospital in Khon Kaen and Kalasin province, Thailand.

A structured questionnaire was used to collect the information which reviewed and tested by experts and

Cronbach’s alpha was 0.81.

Results: The response rate was 97.57%. The elders comprised more females than males (mean age 64.82,

SD 1.36). The proportion of the elderly who perceived information on elderly health promotion services

program funded by the NHSLF was 79.2%. The highest source of information proportion that the elderly

perceived elderly health promotion services program were village health volunteers (80.3%), public health

personnel (60.5%) and community leader announce via community broadcasting program (50.9%). This

study also found the highest experience of participating in the elderly health promotion program was

nutritional assessment screening, joined the community elderly club, and trained for appropriate exercise.

In addition, this study also found having caregivers related to the elderly health promotion services program

funded by NHSLF with statistically significant.

Conclusion: The humanize communication by community health volunteers and public health personal

were good sources for access to health information among the elderly. In addition, the nutritional assessment

joined the community elderly club and trained for appropriate exercise were popular activities among the

elderly. The two-way communication technique and family caregiver made the elderly can access health

information and participated in the health promotion program.