Uncovering the underlying aspects of successful COVID-19 prevention and control in Thailand through factor analysis: Lessons we have not yet learned from village health volunteers.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a global challenge, leading different nations to adopt diverse strategies for prevention and control. In Thailand, Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) have played a pivotal role in the fight against the virus. As the pandemic unfolded, the critical role of VHVs became apparent, prompting a closer examination of their practices and the underlying factors contributing to their effectiveness. Objective: This study aimed to uncover the underlying factors and indicators contributing to the successful prevention and control of COVID-19 by VHVs in Thailand. Methods: The sample group included 10,400 VHVs nationwide. Data were collected from October 2020 to February 2021 using five-point Likert rating scale online questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Exploratory Factor Analysis technique, with Principal Component Analysis and the orthogonal Varimax method. Results: The study revealed nine effective factors and 52 indicators contributing to the prevention and control of COVID-19 in Thailand. The identified factors are as follows: 1) Personal precautions, 2) Proactive disease control strategy, 3) Awareness of COVID-19 severity, 4) Pride and job motivation, 5) Adequate medical equipment and support, 6) Communication, planning, and monitoring processes, 7) Self-care for health, 8) Data collection, record maintenance, and report submission, and 9) Proper hand washing. Conclusion: This research emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to community-based health interventions. It highlights the crucial role of VHVs in disseminating information, ensuring preparedness, and fostering a sense of responsibility among community members. This strategic approach will effectively contribute to ongoing efforts to successfully prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 and potential future outbreaks.

Factors perceived by village health volunteers to implement the strategies of the COVID-19 Control Centre in Thailand.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: The proactive strategy of village health volunteers could help decrease the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Thailand. This research aimed to study the factors that influence the operation of the COVID-19 Control Centre in the village health volunteer communities in Thailand. Thai village health volunteers are trained in infection control education, so they could help control the spread of COVID-19 in the country. This questionnaire study examined factors related to the work of volunteers who could influence the outcomes of initiatives of the COVID-19 Control Centre in Thailand. METHOD: A questionnaire was used that gathered demographic data about the volunteers in section 1, assessed the factors influencing the operation of the control centre in section 2, and evaluated the operation of the control centre in section 3. A predictive correlational design was conducted with 10 400 village health volunteers nationwide. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess the reliability of the instrument, with a score range of .773 to .917. The data were analysed using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Factors associated with the volunteers that could influence their implementation of the initiatives of the Thai COVID-19 Control Centre were disease severity awareness (ß = .196), preventive health behaviours (ß = .159), organisational support awareness (ß = .167), motivation (ß = .120), and work duration (ß = .036). These five factors yielded 26% variance (adj. R2 = .260, p < .001). CONCLUSION: The village health volunteers have an important role in implementing the initiatives of the Thai COVID-19 Control Centre. The key findings suggest that disease severity awareness, preventive health behaviour, and organisational support awareness are critical factors influencing the operation of the COVID-19 Control Centre by village health volunteers in Thailand. Understanding and addressing these factors could contribute to early and effective interventions in managing the spread of COVID-19 and potentially future other epidermics. SO WHAT?: These outcomes may positively contribute to effective early interventions as well as appropriate responses to the spread of COVID-19 and to be better prepared to tackle future infectious threats. Further support for the village health volunteers is warranted to determine their efficacy.