Development of Consumer Protection and Health Product Warning Center in Roi-Et Province.

Abstract

      This action research aimed to: 1) study the situation of operations, 2) develop operational guidelines, and 3) evaluate the outcomes of developing community-level Consumer Protection and Health Product Warning Centers in Roi-Et Province. A three-phase action research following Kemmis and McTaggart's PAOR cycle was conducted between 26 December 2023 and 25 December 2024. Participants comprised 20 health personnel responsible for consumer protection work and 550 members of 30 community-level Centers in five districts (Thung Khao Luang, Sri Somdet, Moei Wadi, Phanom Phrai, and Nong Phok). Instruments included meeting records, grocery store survey forms, household health product surveys, a health literacy assessment for older adults, knowledge tests, and adverse event/complaint report forms. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and McNemar's test; qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

      Results: The developed model comprised five components: 1) strengthening members; 2) monitoring and surveillance of health products in the community; 3) problem management via digital tools; 4) knowledge dissemination; and 5) reporting of adverse events and complaints. After development, the proportion of members completing training increased from 189 to 550 (p<0.001); the mean knowledge score rose from 18.51 to 24.72 out of 30 (p<0.001); the number of households surveyed increased from 432 to 5,464; 82 adverse events/complaints were reported and 43 community-level problems were managed. Health literacy on health products among older adults was at a sufficient level (mean 73.75/100).