Volunteer health guardian project, knowledgeable in fighting COVID-19, Health Zone 4

Abstract

          This research is an action research to evaluate and verify the implementation of COVID-19 prevention measures in schools in Health Zone 4, namely Saraburi, Lopburi, Singburi, Nakhon Nayok, Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, and to develop a model for COVID-19 prevention measures in schools with participation, divided into 4 phases:
          1. Study the situation of the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide and the situation of the COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand
          2. Development of a self-assessment tool for the school readiness system to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in educational institutions
          3. Implementation of the self-assessment form for the school readiness system before the opening of the first semester of the 2021 academic year by having educational institutions self-assess online, the THAI STOP COVID program, Department of Health
          4. Self-assessment of educational institutions in preparation before the opening of the semester to monitor and prevent the spread of COVID-19
          The results of the study on the assessment of measures to prepare for the opening of the semester in 6 dimensions found that 1. Safety from reducing the spread of disease 2. Learning 3. Coverage of underprivileged children 4. Well-being and protection 5. Policy 6. Financial management The results of the assessment of school readiness for the opening of the semester of educational institutions in all 6 dimensions Overall, Dimension 1 found that 1. The school has completed 44, or 44.4 percent. Item 2. The school has operated all items 1-20, but has not passed any item 21-44, or 16.13 percent. The school has not operated any item 1-20, or 39.5 percent. The assessment of Dimensions 2-6 found that the items that have not been implemented according to the criteria Item 40 accounted for 24.0 percent, Item 28 accounted for 19.0 percent, and Item 44 accounted for 18.6 percent. From taking the problems found from the assessment, analyzing and determining the model for COVID-19 surveillance and prevention, together with self-assessment with the participation of health guardians from all provinces in Health Region 4, communicating clear guidelines and participating in planning, decision-making, and evaluating the results. From the application of the development model, it was found that the number of educational institutions that have passed the self-assessment has increased and schools have used it as a measure to monitor and control the spread of COVID-19. Effectively and systematically, in collaboration with all relevant sectors, there is monitoring, there is a response plan, creating knowledge for students and personnel of educational institutions, integrating planning for the use of resources and manpower in strong operations, resulting in the Ministry of Education having a policy to open 100 percent of schools.