EFFECTS OF A PARTICIPATION AND MONITORING PROGRAM ON BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION FOR LEPTOSPIROSIS PREVENTION AMONG AT-RISK POPULATIONS IN SAMRONG TACHEN SUBDISTRICT, KHUKHAN DISTRICT, SISAKET PROVINCE

Abstract

     This quasi-experimental research aimed to examine the effects of a participatory and follow-up program on behavioral modification for leptospirosis prevention among at-risk populations in Samrong Tajan Subdistrict, Khukhan District, Sisaket Province. The sample consisted of 48 participants, divided equally into an experimental group and a comparison group, with 24 participants in each. The experimental group comprised at-risk individuals from Samrong Tajan Subdistrict, while the comparison group comprised individuals from Hua Suea Subdistrict, both located in Khukhan District. The experimental group received a specifically developed intervention program over a 12-week period, whereas the comparison group received routine care. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered twice before and after the intervention between January 15 and April 15, 2025. Descriptive statistics, including percentage, mean, standard deviation, median, and the 25th and 75th percentiles, were used to describe the data. Paired t-tests were applied to compare within-group mean differences, and independent t-tests were used for between-group comparisons. A significance level of 0.05 was set for all statistical tests.

     The results showed that after the intervention, the experimental group had significantly higher mean scores in knowledge about leptospirosis, attitudes toward prevention, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits of prevention, perceived barriers to prevention, and preventive behaviors compared to both their pre-intervention scores and the comparison group (p < 0.05).