Participatory Development in Community Health for the Pgazkoenyau Ethnic: A Case Study in an Ethnic Community in Thailand

Most ethnic communities in Thailand were settled in remote areas with poor living conditions. Therefore, the “human-centered” concept was adopted to develop community health using the participation process.

This research aimed to develop community health using the participation process at two Pgazkoenyau ethnic (Karen) communities whose environmental contexts were similar, in Tha Song Yang and Mae Ra Mard District, Tak Province.

The multi-stage mixed methods design was applied for data collection. 24 participants were purposely recruited in the qualitative approach due to their responsibility as community health development operators. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using content analysis. In addition, quantitative data were gained through interview forms and laboratory test reports. Then they were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test to compare mean behavioral variables, and z-test to compare the proportion of two communicable diseases and blood chemical residues, with 95% confident interval.

The development process consisted of problem finding, data feedback and community stage, capacity building, operation, creative meeting, networking and social capitalizing. They could manage all activities following the community plan: identify helminthiasis and malaria cases, introduce cholinesterase test kits, improve community environmental health, improve healthy behaviors and build capacity for health promotion skills. Evaluated community activities showed increased scores concerning knowledge, attitudes and practices about disease prevention. The prevalence rate of helminths infection decreased significantly. The environmental context was also improved to enable the population’s healthy living conditions.

Community development should be based on community resources and all available social and human capital for sustainable development.