Evaluation of environmental health aspects of solid and hazardous waste management in accordance with the 2nd National Strategic Plan for Environmental Health 2012 – 2016 Thailand: A case study of Sakon Nakhon Province

Abstract

Environmental problems impact on people’s health, and can lead to illness and death. co-planned The second National Strategic Plan for Environmental Health 2012–2016 was developed by Thailand’s Ministries of Public Health and Natural Resources to address these problems. This study investigated the overall operation of Sakon Nakon Province’s implementation of the National Environmental Health Strategic Plan 2, 2012-2016, using an evaluation methodology based on the context, input process and products model (CIPP). Participants were 103 health officers who worked in the province’s Sub-District Health Promotion Hospitals. The data were collected by questionnaire and data analyzed using descriptive statistics: percentage, mean, standard deviation.

The results of study were as followed: 1. Context: Strategies for solid and hazardous waste management were being implemented according to the plan. 2. Input: There were inadequate numbers health officers for this task. They had limited environmental health knowledge and insufficient supporting budget and materials. In addition, an administration was rated at the moderate level. 3. Process: Forming of working groups, participatory planning, community participation and evaluation were all rated as low. Public health personnel satisfaction was rated as average. 4. Products: There was data center on local organization’s waste management and standard waste management systems. However, waste management networks were less developed than expected. The learning center on solid and hazardous waste management was inadequate.

The study found the Second National Strategic Plan for Environmental Health 2012–2016 for solid and hazardous waste management was being implemented in Sakon Nakhon Province. However, there were many limitations needing to be addressed including participatory processes in waste management planning and implementation and better budget allocation and management.