Original Research
Participatory capacity building for improving quality of childcare centers in Thailand
AUTHORS
Hataya Petcharoen1 DrPH, DrPH, Public Health Administration Department
Nawarat Suwannapong2 PhD, Assoc.Prof. * 
Nopporn Howteerakul3 PhD, Assoc.Prof.
Mathuros Tipayamongkholgul4 PhD, Assoc.Prof.
Rohit Ramaswamy5 PhD, Clinical Associate Professor
AFFILIATIONS
1 Department of Public Health Administration, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
2, 3, 4 Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
5 Gillings School of Global Public Health, Public Health Leadership Program and Department of Maternal and Child Health, 4107 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, CB #7469 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
ACCEPTED: 30 January 2018
early abstract:
Introduction: Child-care centers (CCCs) with good quality standards can be effective in reducing the risk of diseases being easily spread from person to person. The aim our program adapted from a method used by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), was to increase the capacity of local administrators (LAs) and heads of CCCs to improve quality standards.
Methods: This study was quasi-experimental, with a one group pretest-posttest design. In this study we describe the effects and impacts of the program in Chonburi Province, Thailand. 6 LAs and 48 CCC heads were trained regarding: 1) knowledge of the Thai Department of Health quality standards; 2) implementation and assurance; and 3) program evaluation. The program consisted of 3 sequential participatory workshops. Effects at the center level were increased overall knowledge of quality standards of child care centers (QCCC), and developed skills of improvement plans. The impact at the center level was CCCs achieving the QCCC. At the child level it was the reduction in the period prevalence of 3 diseases and 2 symptoms.
Results: The significant (p<0.05) effects and impacts at the center level were increased overall knowledge of QCCC in LAs and CCC heads and increased overall managerial skills of CCC heads. At the child level, the period prevalence of chickenpox and diarrhea symptom was reduced.
Conclusion: Participatory capacity building is an appropriate way to enhance the managerial skills of LAs and heads of CCCs for improving quality of child-care centers to meet the local authority and the Ministry of Public Health quality standards.