PERFORMANCE EFFECTIVENESS OF VILLAGE HEALTH VOLUNTEERS IN COMMUNITY PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTERS IN PETCHABOON PROVINCE, THAILAND
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Petchaboon Province to assess the performance effectiveness of village health volunteers (VHVs) and to identify the socio-demographic factors, knowledge, attitudes towards the PHC and CPHCC concepts, training experience and social support factors that affect the performance of VHVs in Community Primary Health Care Centers (CPHCCs). The study was conducted in 16 sub-districts in Muang and Vichianburi districts. The samples were randomly selected, consisting of 217 VHVs who were working in CPHCCs. Self-administered questionnaires were utilized for collecting data. Statistical analysis were performed by determining means, medians, standard deviations, percentages and Chi-square tests. The results revealed that most were 30-39 years (37.3%), married (84.3%), predominantly primary school graduates (77%), employed in agriculture (79.3%) with an insufficient income (62.2%). The average working duration as VHV was 8.5 years and in their position as VHV, at only 56.7%. It was found that 51.2 percent of VHVs had a satisfactory performance in CPHCCs. The association between performance effectiveness as VHVs in CPHCCs and age group, position of VHVs, duration of working as VHV, attitude towards PHC and CPHCC concepts, monthly meetings and social support were significantly associated at the 0.05 level. Recommendation of this study include the need to improve performance effectiveness of VHVs in CPHCCs, positive attitudes, monthly meetings, social support, maturity and experience should be encouraged as a factor for both existing and in selecting new VHVs.