Abstract:
Objectives of this participatory action research were to develop smoking-free community using participatory approach and the effects of its development in Ban Nongyangchin moo 7, ThambonNongyangchin,Reanunakhon district, NakhonPanom province. Participants were 15 smokers in their households. Activities were conducted between August 2012-July 2013 by community leaders. There are 6 steps of development of smoke-free community including: 1) Analysis of smoking situation in community. 2) Building capacity of community leaders through 1 day-workshop.3) The strategies for smoking-free public place, smoking cessation, and smoking prevention.4) Evaluation The community leaders responsible for each activity report progress of the development monthly in community meeting.5) Reflecting activities by community leaders. Problems, obstacles, and solutions were analyzed. 6) Solutions were re-implemented to address the smoking situation in the community continuously. For outcomes of the development, 16 community leaders were selected from community members to mobilize the tobacco use problem in community, 15 smokers participated in smoking cessation cessation activities and 33.33% of them successfully stop. For community , the community policy regarding tobacco control was developed. Smoking-free public places including community , Feveral ceremony, religious ceremony and wedding ceremony were identified. Individual household of community leaders and quitters were also smoke-free areas. Moreover, community radio station has played roles in providing knowledge on adverse effects of tobacco. One convenient store also voluntarily declare to be a smoke-free area. Model for smoke-free community development uses the strategies that strategies that address smoking problem in the community that appropriate with the community needs and context. It strengthens community action to control tobacco use which could have negative health on their community members. It can be implemented with low costs resulting in saving budget to the nation during the economic crisis. This model could be applied to other community settings.
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