The use of Plan-Act-Observe-Reflect (PAOR) process to malaria elimination in Uthai Thani Province

Abstract

This research was Routine to Research (R2R) study conducted in accordance with the policy of Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health with the purpose to use the PAOR process to malaria elimination in Uthai Thani Province, that was implemented in support of Thailand's National Malaria Elimination Strategy 2017-2026. The study methodology included: data collection from program documents and field data collection. Data collection tools were data collection forms to record data from: program meeting reports, monthly malaria epidemiological reports based on malaria case detected, vector borne disease reports, and from the Pre-test and Post-test results from training of district surveillance and rapid response team (SRRT).

The research findings indicated that: 1) Prior to implementation of program activities, malaria data and information that have been analyzed were presented to agencies involved for strategic planning development. The results of brain-storming process, were utilized as the bases for Action plan that included appropriate strategies in order to achieve the program objectives; 2) the activities included in the Action Plan have been prioritized in appropriate order with clear designations of responsible persons; 3) from observation of the Action Plan development and implementation, there were active participation of all agencies involved throughout the process from identification of the problem as well its contributing factors. The results of participatory process have been used for planning, and the eventual joint implementation of planned activities; 4) subsequent to the implementation of activities, there was a "reflection" process during which relevant agencies were able to provide both official feedbacks through various meeting venues and unofficial feedbacks through social media or mobile telephone. The organization can effectively apply the concept of the PAOR model or process to malaria elimination in other areas.