Community Health Literacy Developing Process on Leptospirosis Prevention among People with SLIMNAS Model in Kanthararom District, Sisaket Province

Abstract

          This study aimed to develop a health learning community for leptospirosis prevention by applying the SLIMNAS Model. The study employed a participatory action research design conducted over 6 months. The sample was divided into two groups: the SLIMNAS Model implementation group, consisting of 67 participants, and the outcome evaluation group, consisting of 180 participants. The study scope covered 4 sub-districts and 11 villages. The implementation of the SLIMNAS Model comprised seven core components: Situation Survey and Analysis (S1), Learning and Literacy development (L), Innovation and Integration (I), Mobilization and Media utilization (M), Network and participation (N), Assessment and Adaptation (A), and Sustainability and knowledge Sharing (S2). The research instruments included a health literacy assessment form, a participation evaluation form, and in-depth interview guides.

            The study findings revealed that the participation level of the implementation group achieved the partnership cooperation target with a mean score of 3.8 ± 0.6 points. Health literacy increased significantly from 93.8 ± 18.2 points to 130.4 ± 19.8 points, representing a 39.0% increase (p < 0.001). The dimension of practical application in daily life showed the highest development at 46.7%. Disease prevention behaviors improved positively in all aspects, with rubber boot wearing showing the highest increase at 55.5%, followed by wound covering before work at 43.9%, and handwashing after contact with soil or water at 33.4%. The components with the highest correlation to outcomes were Learning and Literacy development (r = 0.638) and Mobilization and Media utilization (r = 0.589). The community was able to develop 18 village-level health champions and allocate a supporting budget of 50,000 baht per year for activities. The study concluded that the SLIMNAS Model is an effective approach for developing health literacy and changing leptospirosis prevention behaviors in communities. This model can be appropriately applied as a conceptual framework for community health development in the Thai social context.