A PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH TO DEVELOP INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) TO CONTROL AND PREVENT IRON DEFICIENCY AND IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN SCHOOLCHILDREN AT WANG KLAIKANHWON SCHOOL: LONG DISTANCE LEARNING VIA SATELLITE STATION IN THAILAND

摘要

A participatory action research was conducted among stakeholders at Wangkaikangwon School to develop a long distance education program to control and prevent iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in schoolchildren using computer and satellite-broadcast technology. The prevalence of IDA among the kindergarten, primary and secondary schoolchildren were 10.1%, 5.2% and 21.6% respectively at the pre-data collection stage. An IEC program was employed as the intervention, and iron tablet or syrup supplementation was operated by two teachers acting as 'agents for change' for 30 days. Post-data collection was conducted only among anemic children, the prevalence of the remained IDA in kindergarten, primary and secondary schoolchildren were 25.0%, 22.6% and 18.4 % respectively. Satisfactory among schoolchildren and stakeholders was revealed from in-depth interview and observation. Supplies for the ID & IDA control and prevention program will be managed by the local community hospital. Wang Klaikangwon School will employ the ID & IDA control and prevention program for broadcasting via satellite to schools in remote areas and for further educational activities.