Developing a model for surveillance, prevention, and control of rabies through the District Quality of Life Development Committee (DHB) in Huai Mek District, Kalasin Province.

Abstract

      This research was Participatory Action Research (PAR) study aiming to examine the situation and operational guidelines for rabies surveillance, prevention, and control in Huai Mek District, Kalasin Province, and to develop an operational model for rabies surveillance, prevention, and control by the District Quality of Life Development Committee (DHB) in Huai Mek District, Kalasin Province. The sample consisted of 86 members of the DQDC and the Sub-district Quality of Life Development Working Group (SQDC). Data was collected from operational record forms and summaries. Qualitative data and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.       

      The study results showed that: 1) The target for animal registration coverage (≥80%) was achieved. Huai Mek District saw an increase in the survey and registration of both owned and unowned dogs and cats between 2024 and 2025. This was due to adjustments in the animal survey and registration system. Previously, surveys were conducted solely by volunteer livestock teams, which had limited personnel compared to the much larger number of Village Health Volunteers (VHVs), each responsible for 10-15 households. From 2025-2026, the capacity of VHVs was enhanced to join the survey teams, leading to a positive trend in animal registration. A similar increase in surveys of stray animals was also observed. 2) The rabies vaccination rate in animals showed an improved operational system and a positive trend in animal vaccination rates. 3) Health literacy regarding rabies prevention and control among the District Quality of Life Development Committee (DQDC) and partner networks was at a moderate level before the implementation, and at the highest level after the implementation, except for the aspect of sharing health information, which was at a high level. The perception of rabies surveillance, prevention, and control through the District-level Quality of Life Development Committee (DQDC) mechanism in Huai Mek District, Kalasin Province, before the implementation, was at a moderate level overall and in each aspect, except for the aspect of obstacles to dengue fever prevention, which was at a low level. After the implementation, the overall and in each aspect, it was at the highest level. Furthermore, a comparison of health literacy in rabies prevention and control among the DQDC and partner networks, and the perception of rabies surveillance, prevention, and control through the DQDC mechanism in Huai Mek District, Kalasin Province, before and after the implementation, revealed statistically significant differences at the .05 level, both overall and in each aspect, with the post-implementation level being significantly better than the pre-implementation level.