Development of Community Participation Program on Knowledge and Health Prevention Behaviors Related to Hypertension among Hill Tribe Older Adults in Northern Thailand

Background The Akha hill tribe of older adults in Thailand, a culturally diverse minority, faces health disparities. Due to limited access to health information and services, those who are unable to read Thai are at a higher risk of developing hypertension. Consequently, hill tribe communities need community engagement to enhance healthcare access and communication between health workers and the community. Objective This study aimed to investigate the effect of a community participation program on hypertension knowledge and health prevention behaviors among Akha older adults in Thailand. Methods This program was developed based on evidence and insights from community scholars and stakeholders. The program included three activities: 1] training the volunteers, 2] home visits by trained adolescent and adult volunteers, and 3] providing hypertension knowledge through village broadcasts. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were conducted using an Akha-specific hypertension knowledge and prevention behaviors questionnaire. Results Among the thirty healthy Akha older adults who could not communicate in Thai, following the implementation of the community participation program, there was a significant increase in hypertension knowledge (P = 0.000) and HT prevention behaviors (P = 0.017). Conclusion The community participation program could improve hypertension knowledge and hypertension prevention behaviors of older adults in the Akha hill tribe by bridging the gap between the healthcare system and the community.