Factors Correlated with the Health Service Performance Competencies of Prison Health Volunteers in Sakon Nakhon Province

Abstract

Background and Objectives Thailand has a large number of inmates, resulting in overcrowded prisons and health issues. Therefore, prison health volunteers were established to assist with health services within the prison. This research aimed to study the competencies in health service performance and the factors influencing these competencies of prison health volunteers in Sakon Nakhon Province. The sample group was purposively selected and consisted of 208 prison health volunteers in Sakon Nakhon Province.

Methods This study was a cross-sectional analytical design, collecting data through a self-assessment questionnaire regarding factors influencing the health service performance competencies of prison health volunteers. The quality of the instruments was validated by three experts, with content validity ranging from 0.67 to 1.00 and Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients for social support at 0.88 and the health service performance competencies at 0.92. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and median, and correlation analysis using chi-square and Spearman's correlation coefficient.

Results The research findings revealed that the majority of the health service performance competencies (61.1%) were at a high level (x̅ = 3.73, S.D. = 0.48). Factors correlated with the health service performance competencies of prison health volunteers that had statistical significance included previous occupation (χ² = 7.101, p-value = 0.029), acquisition of volunteers (χ² = 9.238,
p-value = 0.002), department affiliation (χ² = 17.585, p-value < 0.001), and additional training
(χ² = 5.371, p-value = 0.020). In addition, social support (rs = 0.433, p-value < 0.001) had a moderate correlation. The duration of volunteering (rs = 0.172, p-value = 0.013) had a low correlation.

Conclusion and Recommendation An evaluation tool should be developed for the health service performance competencies of prison health volunteers, involving personnel from various departments, such as correctional officers and prison nurses, in the evaluation process. Additionally, a study should be conducted to explore factors correlated with the health service performance competencies of prison health volunteers using qualitative research methods to obtain in-depth information, as well as to investigate other factors beyond the scope of this study.