The assessment of community health impact factor of Thapra Subdistrict, Muang district, Khon Kaen province

Abstract

This action research aimed to assess community health impacts assessment of Thapra community of Khon Kaen province during its transition from agriculture to industrial regime, and to make recommendations to local government on future preventive measures on community health impacts from changing health determinants. The study used health impact assessment (HIA) toolkit to build future healthy community scenario. The study was conducted during May 2009-June 2010 at Thapra subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO), Muang district, Khon Kaen province, which was responsible for 14 villages. The community HIA toolkit was used for profiling of community socio-economy, environment, and health data by community representatives and researchers. A community HIA workshop was organized involving 53 persons including; community leaders, SAO officers, health authorities, villagers and factory managers. The overall HIA study output was a set of recommendations and measures in prevention of community health impact from various expected changes of community health determinants. The study result was also attributable to guidance on future healthy community and mainstreaming harmonization actions between community and industry.