Evaluation of Public Relations and Behavioral Responses to Prevention and Control Measures Against Lymphatic Filariasis Afflicting People Living in Epidemic Areas in Thailand
The evaluation was conducted in order to find ways of improving public relations for greater efficiency. Questionnaires were used for data collection. Four hundred and sixty-two residents in epidemic areas were randomly selected to constitute the sample groups. Results indicated that most respondents had never attended meetings/training programs/seminars or participated in activities/exhibits related to LF. However, they had received related information through LF prevention campaigns. People’s knowledge, attitudes and adoption of practices were at moderate level. Hypothesis testing showed that: (1) settlement period was related to knowledge about LF; (2) age, educational attainment and social membership were related to attitudes toward LF; (3) age, settlement period, educational attainment, occupation and social membership were related to adoption of practices on LF prevention; (4) meeting/training/seminar attendance, participation in activities/exhibits, and receiving information through campaigns were related to knowledge about LF; (5) knowledge was related to attitudes toward LF; and (6) attitudes were related to adoption of practices on LF prevention. Ways of improving public relations were recommended as follows: (1) use public relations continuously and encourage people to participate in developing public relations media; (2) emphasize production of audio-visual and public relations media which can best draw the attention of the people; and (3) produce different forms of media tools and materials.
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