Participation of local authorities in controlling dengue hemorrhagic fever in Udonthani Province B.E. 2549

Abstract

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is the public health disease worldwide, especially in South East Asia countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar etc. Udonthani Province has usually faced such problems for many years. Under the act of legislation plan and step of decentralization of local authorities B.E. 2542. Many duties in the catchments' area will be responsible under local authorities, including prevention and control of dengue hemorrhagic fever.

The objectives of this survey research are to study the participations of local authorities in prevention and control of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Udonthani Province B.E.2549.

The questionnaire constructed by the researcher has been used to collected data. The data are collected by health center personnel during December 15, 2006 to March 15, 2007. The 179 local authorities are interviewed but 155 or 86.59 % qualify questionnaires only are selected. The data had been analyzed by mean, median and standard deviation.

The results show that nearly four-fifth of them used to buy fogging machines for 1-2 ma- chines and financial support of less than 50,000 Baht per year. Majorities of them have good knowledge in dengue fever control but only one-fourth has good practice; especially in planning and buying of insecticidal solutions, Temephos sand granules. Moreover, they have dengue hemorrhagic fever control projects and most of them had good participation with the related institutes. Beside; public relations and evaluations are moderately level while training supported is low level.

The outcomes of the study as good knowledge but some only has good practice in dengue fever control, majority of them has focus on buying of insecticidal solutions and Temephos sand granules, good participation with the related institutes, while other importance activities are given in low prioritization. The outcomes are similar to many researchers' findings. The explanations are that many local authorities have not the health personnel to take care of these duties. Besides; buying things is quite easy and convenient. So that if dengue control will be responsible under local authorities in future, other duties should be equally improved.