Roles and success factors of community health nurses in providing health care for people with disabilities in southern Thailand: a qualitative descriptive study
Downloads
Introduction: People with disabilities (PWDs) are considered a vulnerable group due to their condition, which makes it difficult for them to access the services provided. Community health nurses (CHNs) are considered a key mechanism for supporting the implementation of activities that promote the quality of life of PWDs in the community. Therefore, this qualitative study aims to describe the role of CHNs in providing health care to PWDs in southern Thailand.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted from May 2024 to October 2024 in southern Thailand. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and focus group discussions (FGDs). Data collection continued until saturation was achieved. A total of 39 participants were divided into five groups composed of 1) CHNs; 2) Village headman; 3) Village Health Volunteers (VHVs); 4) PWDs; and 5) family caregivers were recruited based on inclusion criteria using a purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Two themes were identified in this study: 1) CHNs’ role in providing health care for PWDs, and 2) Key factors affecting the success of CHNs in providing health care for PWDs.
Conclusions: The findings revealed the significant roles of CHNs in providing health care for PWDs. Prioritizing disability care in community settings is essential. Systematic data collection and utilization can enhance care effectiveness. Capacity development programs for CHNs in disability care management are needed, and collaborative partnerships with relevant organizations should be strengthened. Policymakers must develop comprehensive strategies to optimize CHNs’ roles in community-based disability care.
Auemaneekul, N. et al. (2024) ‘Factors Associated with Violence of Persons with Disabilities in the Thai Context’, Thai Journal of Public Health, 54(1), pp. 706–723. Available at: www.ph.mahidol.ac.th/thjph/www.ph.mahidol.ac.th/thjph/.
Badu, E., O’Brien, A. P. and Mitchell, R. (2019) ‘An integrative review on methodological considerations in mental health research - Design, sampling, data collection procedure and quality assurance’, Archives of Public Health. BioMed Central Ltd. doi: 10.1186/s13690-019-0363-z.
Braun, V. and Clarke, V. (2019) ‘Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis’, Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), pp. 589–597. doi: 10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806.
Doyle, L. et al. (2020) ‘An overview of the qualitative descriptive design within nursing research’, Journal of research in nursing : JRN, 25(5), pp. 443–455. doi: 10.1177/1744987119880234.
Gréaux, M. et al. (2023) ‘Health equity for persons with disabilities: a global scoping review on barriers and interventions in healthcare services’, International journal for equity in health, 22(1). doi: 10.1186/S12939-023-02035-W.
Hartley, S. D. and Muhit, M. (2003) Using qualitative methods for disability research in majority world countries. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/202019434.
Holloway, Immy. and Galvin, Kathleen. (2023) Qualitative research in nursing and healthcare. 5th edn. Wiley-Blackwell.
Hughes, D., Leethongdee, S. and Osiri, S. (2010) ‘Using economic levers to change behaviour: The case of Thailand’s universal coverage health care reforms’, Social Science and Medicine, 70(3), pp. 447–454. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.10.031.
Khanlou, N. et al. (2023) ‘Nursing care for persons with developmental disabilities: Review of literature on barriers and facilitators faced by nurses to provide care’, Nursing open, 10(2), pp. 404–423. doi: 10.1002/NOP2.1338.
Khongsateinpong, K. and Wanaratwichit, C. (2020) ‘District Quality Development Committee: Challenges and Development’, Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Uttaradit Journal, 13(2), pp. 275–286.
Lincoln, Y. S. and Guba, E. G. (1985) Naturalistic Inquiry. SAGE.
McBride, M., Kilgore, C. and Oozageer Gunowa, N. (2024) ‘The role of community and district nurses’, Clinics in Integrated Care, 27, p. 100231. doi: 10.1016/J.INTCAR.2024.100231.
Mongklam, P., Kraithaworn, P. and Piyatrakul, S. (2025) ‘Exploring dementia care for community-dwelling older adults in Thailand: A qualitative descriptive study’, Belitung Nursing Journal, 11(4), pp. 459–467. doi: 10.33546/bnj.3835.
Moore, J. et al. (2019) ‘Collaboration among registered nurses and practical nurses in acute care hospitals: A scoping review’, Nursing Forum, 54(3), pp. 376–385. doi: 10.1111/NUF.12339.
National Statistical Office (2023) The 2022 Disability Survey . Available at: https://www.unicef.org/thailand/media/11376/file/Disability%20Survey%20Report%202022.pdf (Accessed: 16 January 2025).
Pattarateeranon, P. et al. (2021) ‘Role of Community Nurses in Health Promotion and Prevention of Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic in 8 Community Responsible Area, Ramathibodi Hospital’, Thai Journal of Health Education, 44(1), pp. 1–11. Available at: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/muhed/article/view/249551 (Accessed: 16 January 2025).
Pokpermdee, P. (2020) ‘Twenty-Year National Strategic Plan for Public Health (B.E. 2561-2580)’, Journal of Health Science, 29, pp. 173–186.
Rhodes, D., Antoine, E. and Abidin, A. (2025) ‘Cultural understandings of inclusion in Southeast Asia’, International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. Taylor and Francis Ltd., pp. 796–806. doi: 10.1080/20473869.2025.2521676.
Scholz, B. et al. (2018) ‘“Not an afterthought”: Power imbalances in systemic partnerships between health service providers and consumers in a hospital setting’, Health Policy, 122(8), pp. 922–928. doi: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2018.06.007.
Senior, M., Fazel, S. and Tsiachristas, A. (2020) ‘The economic impact of violence perpetration in severe mental illness: a retrospective, prevalence-based analysis in England and Wales’, The Lancet Public Health, 5(2), pp. e99–e106. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(19)30245-2.
Streubert, J. H. and Carpenter, D. R. (2011) Qualitative research in nursing : advancing the humanistic imperative . 5th edn. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Tapabut, K. et al. (2018) ‘Application of Geographic Information System to the Allocation of Emergency Medical Service in the Elderly in Chuen Chom District, Mahasarakham Province’, Journal of Science and Technology, 27(3), pp. 381–394.
Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council (2012) Professional nursing practice manual district of health promotion hospital. Bangkok: Gold spot limited Company.
The Queen’s Nursing Institute (2018) Community Children’s Nursing Developing and Strengthening CCN Services in the 21st Century.
Tong, A., Sainsbury, P. and Craig, J. (2007) ‘Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups’, International journal for quality in health care : journal of the International Society for Quality in Health Care, 19(6), pp. 349–357. doi: 10.1093/INTQHC/MZM042.
United Nations (2024) 2024 Theme: Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities (Accessed: 16 January 2025).
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (2023) 2023 Global Survey Report on Persons with Disabilities and Disasters. Geneva: UNDRR.
Wodchis, W. P. et al. (2015) ‘Integrating care for older people with complex needs: Key insights and lessons from a seven-country cross-case analysis’, International Journal of Integrated Care, 15. doi: 10.5334/ijic.2249.
World Health Organization (2008) The world health report 2008 : primary health care now more than ever. Geneva: World Health Organization.
World Health Organization (2020) Global status report on preventing violence against children 2020. Global Partnership to End Violence
Against Children, UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNICEF, United Nations Children’s Fund, WHO, World Health Organization.
Yodsuban, P. et al. (2023) ‘The roles of community health nurses for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northeastern Thailand: A qualitative study’, International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 10(1), pp. 53–63. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnss.2022.12.014.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jurnal Ners
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with Jurnal Ners agree to the following terms:
- Authors transfer the Copyright and grant Jurnal Ners the right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License that allows others to remix, adapt and build upon the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and of the initial publication in Jurnal Ners.
- Authors are permitted to copy and redistribute the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in Jurnal Ners.
Jurnal Ners requires a formal written declaration and transfer of copyright from the author(s) for each article published. We, therefore, ask you to complete and return this form, retaining a copy for your own records. Your cooperation is essential and appreciated. Any delay will result in a delay in publication. The form can be downloaded HERE.
