Self-care experiences of ill adults in a rural district in southern Thailand
ประสบการณ์การดูแลตนเองของเมื่อเจ็บป่วยของผู้ใหญ่ ในอำเภอกระแสสินธุ์ จังหวัดสงขลา
Jittinone Pongsuwan, Health care team of Krasaesin District, Songkhla
Chun Kaewkleng, Health care team of Krasaesin District, Songkhla
Tittapha Prompetc, Health care team of Krasaesin District, Songkhla
Pawittree Khruakaew, Health care team of Krasaesin District, Songkhla
Wised Sirinthornsopon, Health care team of Krasaesin District, Songkhla
Hunsamon Krajangdara, Health care team of Krasaesin District, Songkhla
Ploenpit Thaniwattananon, D. of Medical Nursing, F. of Nursing, PSU.
Corresponding e-mail : tploenpi@ratree.psu.ac.th
Published : The 4th International Nursing Conference: "Commitment to Changing Practice
in the New Millennium" Brunei, 19-22 November, 2000.
Key words : experiences, self-care, ill adult
This phenomenological research aimed to describe self-care experiences & self-care related factors of ill adults in Krasaesin District, Songkla Province. Sixteen informants comprised of eight chronic and eight acute illness adults were purposely recruited from population in four sub-districts. Data were collected using in-depth interviews, tape-recorded, observation and field-note taking over the period from April to August 1999. An inductive method was applied for data interpretation and analysis. The study showed that the informants shared the meaning of illness in three views: 1) the physical and psychological changes that deviated from normal, 2) a condition that could be cured or relieved with medicines and 3) a condition that decreased work efficiency. When the informants were ill, they would have three following self-care behaviors: 1) evaluating for the level of severity, 2) selecting for their self-healing and treatment 3) evaluating outcome of treatments. The study found seven self-care related factors: 1) experiences of self healing and treatment, 2) the confidence in the physician's ability, 3) helping from family members and neighbors, 4) the convenience of access to heath care, 5) costs saving, 6) motivation, 7) beliefs in supernatural power. This study has provided the baseline data for the development of community health promotion and health care.
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