Effectiveness of COVID-19 Infection Prevention Policy for Elderly in Bang Khen District, Bangkok.

Abstract

This independent study aimed to find out: 1) the effectiveness of the COVID-19 infection prevention policy for the elderly in Bang Khen district, Bangkok, 2) the factors affecting the effectiveness of the infection prevention policy, and 3) the guidelines to improve the effectiveness of the infection prevention policy. The research utilized the mixed methods of qualitative and quantitative. For the qualitative method, the tool was an interview with 15 key informants. For the quantitative method, the tool was a questionnaire gathering data from the sample group, randomly selected from the elderly in Bang Khen district. Statistics used were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient.

          The findings revealed that: 1) the effectiveness of the COVID-19 infection prevention policy was found in overall at a high level (  = 3.71). The elderly was encouraged to take a good care of their mental health by avoiding stress, exercising appropriately, eating freshly cooked food containing all five food groups according to principles of nutrition. Good public health service system, Covid-19 detection, medical devices, medicine, information accountability, mental strength building, strict measures, active screening, and vaccination were thoroughly provided to the elderly. 2) The factors affecting the effectiveness of the infection prevention policy were found in overall at a high level (  = 3.71). The Public Health Ministry’s policy was strictly followed as planned. With the cooperation of both public and private agencies, the Medical and Public Health Emergency Operations Center was established, ready for the concrete area-based operation. Knowledge and understanding were raised with the recommendations on preventive measures and infection control through various channels. Moreover, the trained personnel could provide assistance to the elderly. 3) The guidelines to improve the effectiveness of the infection prevention policy revealed that healthcare knowledge, medical treatment, health rehabilitation, and infection prevention should be promoted. In addition, basic public health service system should be established, and Covid-19 vaccination should be thoroughly provided to the elderly so that they could spend their lives happily.