Kanittha Chamroonsawasdi

Monitoring and Evaluation of a Model Development Project and StrategicCampaign on HIV/AIDS Prevention among Muslim Communities in Thailand

Background: Prevention and control of HIV/AIDS among Muslim communities using religious principles and practices helps to prevent HIV/AIDS epidemic. Therefore, monitoring and evaluation of outcome achievements will shape policy implications. Methods: A mixed method design using both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods was performed to verify the project achievements, best practices on strategic campaign and strengthening partnership and networking for project management among Muslim communities. Results: A total of 60 trainees were selected from 10 communities as peer educators in a training of trainer program to conduct training activities on HIV/AIDS prevention and control among Muslim communities. Best practices focused on people’s perceptions that HIV/AIDS reflects the morals and ethics of community members, using the Noble Al Quran to teach people on appropriate sexual behaviours, to sacrifice themselves for others, and to strengthen partnership and networking through religious leaders, community leaders, housewives, village health volunteers and teenagers as a change agent for sustainable project management. Regarding 84% of returned questionnaires from the target communities, the respondents had their knowledge on HIV/AIDS prevention and transmission and their awareness on HIV/AIDS severity in a moderate to high level. There mean scores of knowledge and awareness between male and female respondents were not significant different. Around 59.5% of them reported on sexual experiences and preventive behaviours. In all, 30% had sexual experiences and100% denied having sex with HIV patients but only 20% always used condoms when having sex. Among 70% who never have sexual experience, 56.7% will always use condom when having sex. Conclusions: The Noble Al Quran helped Muslims to realize appropriate sexual behaviours. Religious leaders are the catalysts of HIV/AIDS prevention and sex education that can be expanded as a nationwide program in every Islamic school.

Rate of Utilization of Skilled Birth Attendant and the Influencing Factors in an Urban Myanmar Population

A survey study aimed at identifying rates and predictive factors on utilization of skilled birth attendant (SBA) among pregnant women. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 200 Myanmar women aged 18 to 49 years in Kalay Township. Data were collected by interview questionnaire from March 1 to 15, 2012, and data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, χ2 test, and multiple logistic regression analysis. The utilization rate of SBA was 74%. Factors significantly predicting utilization of SBA (P < .05) were level of maternal and child health (MCH) knowledge, attitude toward SBA, and accessibility to MCH services. The women who had a moderate to good level of knowledge utilized SBA 2.7 times more than those who had a poor level of knowledge (odds ratio = 2.705, 95% confidence interval = 1.31-5.57). The women who had a positive attitude toward SBA utilized SBA 7.7 times more than those who had a negative attitude (odds ratio = 7.708, 95% confidence interval = 3.71-15.98). The women who had high accessibility to MCH services utilized SBA 1.4 times more than those who had low accessibility (odds ratio = 1.477, 95% confidence interval = 1.05-2.21). These factors were able to correctly predict utilization of SBA at 74.9%. MCH knowledge and information on utilization of SBA should be strengthened during every antenatal care visit to enhance positive attitude on utilization of SBA and to increase accessibility to MCH services by providing community antenatal care or home visits.

Self-care behaviors among Thai primigravida teenagers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate predictive factors of the self-care behaviors among Thai teenagers with primigravida. The samples of 206 primigravida teenagers attending ANC clinics of six hospitals in the North-Eastern region of Thailand were included. Data collection was done through self administered-questionnaire. Scales of the questionnaire had reliability coefficients ranging from 0.72 – 0.92. The data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that the percentage-mean score of overall self-care behavior was 76.91. The percentage-mean scores of self-care behaviors in specific trimester were found that the score in the second trimester was lower than the scores in the first and third trimesters (57.58, 60.45, and 64.65, respectively). Factors associated with overall self-care behavior were perceived self-efficacy, perceived social support from family, knowledge on self-care during pregnancy, accessibility to health services, self-esteem and age (r = 0.47, 0.34, 0.28, 0.24, 0.19, and 0.15, respectively). Perceived self-efficacy and knowledge on self-care during pregnancy were the two considerable predictors accounted for 25% of the variance in the self-care behaviors of Thai teenagers with primigravida.

Identifying Safety Indicators of New Drug Safety Monitoring Programme (SMP) in Thailand

The Safety Monitoring Programme (SMP), Thailands new drug safety monitoring system, aims to perform new drug safety profiles for the country. There have been an increasing number of new drugs in Thailand, and only a few studies have explored this particular issue. This study was a part of a situational analysis of the new drug Safety Monitoring Programme in Thailand. The objective was to identify safety indicators of the SMP system through the structure, process, and outcome model. A three-round modified Delphi method, including semistructured interviews, mailed questionnaire, telephone recall, and in-person contact, was used. Forty-five persons, representing various stakeholders dealing with the SMP, were asked by telephone or in-person contact to join the expert panel. Thirteen individuals declined to participate, resulting in a panel of 32 experts. Seventy-one indicators were identified in the first round, 40 indicators in the second, and 36 indicators in the final round, and then the indicators were regrouped by similar concepts into 19 safety indicators. The assessment of the SMP through the 19 core safety indicators will be used to assess elements in the SMP system. These indicators should be further developed and continuously used and improved.