Model for behavioral change in high risk toward diabetes type II patients by camping, Mueang district, Roi Et province, Thailand

To study the behavior difference between high risk toward diabetes type II patients who attended and who did not attend the ‘Change in Health Behavior’ Camping Program. It was a quasi-experimental research in nature. The sample groups in this research were those with high risk toward diabetes type II patients who had more than 6 score points according to the risk evaluation criteria by Mr. Wichai Ekplakorn and his team. The sample groups were between 40-59 years of age, resided in Mueang district, Roi Et province, for at least 6 months in duration. Voluntary method was used to recruit the sample groups from 2 tampons. The experimental group consisted of 30 samples that were recruited to attend the camping program. On the other hand, another 30 samples of the comparison group received only brochures, thus; a total of 60 samples which was in compliance with the regulations. The questionnaires were tested for their content validity by the experts and for reliability value at 0.859 by the use of Cronbach’s Alphas coefficient. The volunteers replied the questionnaire interview during pre- and post- experiment, together with the measurement of weight, height, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI), during the month of December 2009, and 15 days after the experiment ended, and postevaluation is conducted. The data was analyzed through the use of descriptive statistics in terms of frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation while the difference of point average was tested through the use of Paired t-test and Unpaired t-test. The results indicated that in the post experiment, the mean of waist circumference, knowledge and health behaviors between the experimental and the comparison groups were different with statistical significance at the level of 0.05. Within the experimental group, the mean of waist circumference, BMI, knowledge, and health behaviors, were different both in the pre- and post- camping with statistical significance at the level of 0.05. On the other hand, the comparison group had the mean of knowledge during the pre- and post- of the receipt of brochures with statistical significance at the level of 0.05. Consequently, the use of camping program on ‘Change in Health Behavior’ by applying the group process and empowerment of related activities while in the camping program are proper for health promotion behaviors as well as for the reduction of risk factors toward diabetes mellitus type II among general population and other high-risk groups. With an application of the program, it can prove to be both beneficial and appropriate to the community in the reduction of risk factors toward diabetes mellitus whose illness is a vital problem to Thailand.