The Surveillance, Prevention and Control of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Communities by Village Health Volunteers in North East Thailand

Abstract

This mixed method research aimed to learn lessons leading to policy suggestions from the implementation of surveillance, prevention and control of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in communities by village health volunteers (VHVs) in the north-east, Thailand. The lessons were extracted through a 5 steps process; project preparation or definition, data collection, verification and synthesis of data, storage of data and dissemination of learning. The sample size consisted of 207 VHVs from 8 provinces of health regions 7, 8, 9, and 10. Data were collected by 16 focus group discussions (12-13 members in a group) and a questionnaire survey based on practice guidelines for VHV on surveillance for COVID-19 as defined by the Department of Health Services Support, Ministry of Public Health. The questionnaire validated by 3 experts and achieved a reliability score of 0.94. The quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and qualitative by content analysis. Quantitative analysis, found 97.6% of VHVs respondents performed searching and screening of high risk groups, 89.4% conducted home visits to follow-up on sign and symptom, 87.0% prepared themselves for protection, 86.0% created performance reports and 84.5% consolidated reports of high-risks groups under observation. The VHVs were under the top-down guidance of the district-level Department of Disease Control’s policies. The qualitative analysis revealed that the VHVs were an integral part of village-level prevention strategy. The VHVs took steps to ensure self-precaution while visiting houses similar to disease control officers. The VHV also communicated with villagers regarding risks, disease knowledge including distributing protective equipment. The VHVs continuously reported to the local health professionals via LINE groups and other applications. The success of the project was attributable to the local VHVs and their dedication including their volunteer compassion, in addition, cooperation between networks and the communities, support, and monitoring. However, limitations were the knowledge, skills, technology including lack of clear operation guidelines, insufficient protective equipment, levels of cooperation between networks and citizens. Therefore, policies suggestions were on development of management infrastructure, capacity building of VHVs potential and knowledge, guideline and operation handbook, management of information technology and the network integration.