The purpose of this study was to create and test a prevention model for diabetes mellitus in a primary care unit
in Thailand. This study used a three-stage approach: a situational analysis was conducted by a focus group
discussion, a model was developed in a brainstorming session with stakeholders, and the model was tested by
community participation. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect and analyze the data.The
focus group discussion found that co-operation between health volunteers and primary care unit personnel in
relation to diabetes screening, as well as defining the role of nurse practitioners who provide diabetic
treatment, was important. The proactive model that was used for preventing diabetes mellitus was a health
promotion program. It was trialed with 160 persons with prediabetes for 3 months.After the intervention, the
mean score for exercise activity among the persons with prediabetes was significantly higher, while the mean
score of the Body Mass Index, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure were significantly lower than
before the intervention.This meant that community participation provided proactive services to Thai persons
with prediabetes.