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Promoting Self care in Elderly with Diabetes and Hypertension: Tambon
Nong Khon, Ubonratchathani Province
‡
Phaksachiphon Khanthong *,¶ , Tipavan Saichuer , Arkom Thongbor , Jeeranun Limkongkawong §
†
*Faculty of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University, Ubon Ratchathani
34000
†
Prasrimahabhodi Psychiatric Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani 34000
‡
Ban Chuek elderly club, Tambon Nong Khon, Ubon Ratchathani 34000
§
Nong Khon Sub-District Administrative Organization, Tambon Nong Khon, Ubon Ratchathani 34000
¶
Corresponding: pakkanaporn.c@ubru.ac.th
Abstract

Nong Khon subdistrict is a semi-urban area in Ubon Ratchathani province that confronts health
problems especially in elderly persons who have diabetes or hypertension due to changes in lifestyle and
consumption behavior. This research aimed to (1) develop a learning process and enhance participation from
many sectors in using local wisdom for solving health problems, (2) change health behaviors, and (3) improve
well-being conditions, all for the elderly with diabetes and hypertension in the community in Nong Khon
subdistrict. The participatory action research (PAR) was conducted in 21 research volunteers, from whom
quantitative data were collected using a questionnaire about participation (with multiple choice and open-
ended questions) and in 96 older persons with diabetes and hypertension, from whom quantitative data were
collected using a questionnaire and a measurement form, while qualitative data were collected using an
observation form, an interview guide and a lessons-learned synthesis framework. Data were then analyzed
with descriptive statistics and paired samples t-test. The results revealed that: (1) local wisdom was a good
driver for self-care in the elderly and PAR was a significant mechanism for all stakeholdersû participation in
enhancing their learning process, making behavior changes al the individual and macro levels; (2) the elderly
group showed some changes in their health behaviors with an increase in fruit and vegetable consumptions
and a decrease in salty diet intake; their BMI and waist circumferences significantly dropped; while their
mental health scores rose significantly; and (3) their social quality of life also changed from moderate to high
levels. It is thus suggested that, for future research, additional data should be collected to look thoroughly into
which behavioral changes really contribute to the better health condition of elderly persons.

Key words: local wisdom, Thai medicine, diabetes, hypertension

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