Throughout history, Silk Road played an important role with connecting more than 50 countries between its endpoints. Reviving this ancient trade route is a contemporary discussion among politicians. There are many pro...Throughout history, Silk Road played an important role with connecting more than 50 countries between its endpoints. Reviving this ancient trade route is a contemporary discussion among politicians. There are many projects realized and proposed for the resurgence of the modem Silk Road, including the railroad project connecting Baku, Tiflis and Kars of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey; the undersea rail tunnel under the Bosphorus strait, Marmaray; the Silk Road Economic Belt proposed by China; and the Maritime Silk Road, again proposed by China. Just like the original Silk Road, it was not only a route for caravans or trade, but it was a meeting point for cultural, religious, and philosophical exchanges that served humanity for centuries; today＇s modem Silk Road initiatives should be considered as bridges between Eastern and Western civilizations that will serve the same purpose of its ancient predecessor. The revived Silk Road will facilitate strengthening of relationships in between countries that experienced harmony in history. The railways, transportation facilities, transnational gates, energy corridors, and natural gas pipelines that constitute the Silk Road will transform the region with improving its economy and bringing peace and economic prosperity. With recent developments, it witnesses the importance of geopolitical and historical ties in establishing contemporary alliances. Although there are great expectations with the revival of the modern Silk Road, authors would like to emphasize that it should be an agreement to foster shared interests rather than the interest of bigger partners.展开更多
Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effect of a peer-training program for village health volunteers(VHVs)to improve chronic disease management among older adults in rural Thailand.Methods The study was guid...Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effect of a peer-training program for village health volunteers(VHVs)to improve chronic disease management among older adults in rural Thailand.Methods The study was guided by community-based participatory research(CBPR).The peer-training program was developed by engaging diverse stakeholders,including community organizations,healthcare services,VHVs,older adults with chronic illnesses,and folk scholars in remote communities with high healthcare needs.The peer-training program comprised a three-day training workshop that convened once a week for three weeks with the following six sessions:knowledge sharing,peer support and empowerment,health literacy and health behavior,the general caring procedure for older adults with chronic illnesses,information sharing and communication,and home visit.From January to April 2021,a total of 28 VHVs completed the peer training program in a rural area in Chiang Rai province,Thailand.The Health Literacy and Health Behavior-3E2S(HLHB-3E2S),the Management of Non-Communicable Diseases Questionnaire(MNCDQ),and a self-confidence questionnaire were used to survey pre(week 1)and post-intervention(week 12),respectively.Then VHVs were interviewed to collect attitudes,and opinions about the intervention.Results After the intervention,the HLHB-3E2S scores(49.39±5.54 vs.52.35±4.26,P=0.001),the MNCDQ scores(44.10±6.27 vs.50.60±4.84,P<0.001),and the self-confidence questionnaire scores(22.28±2.46 vs.23.21±1.81,P=0.01)of VHVs significantly increased.VHVS also reported that the peer-training program enhanced their healthcare services,including health education,chronic disease management,leadership skills,and improving their relationship with healthcare providers.Conclusion Peer training programs are a practical strategy to improve VHVs’capacities.Healthcare professionals should provide a continuous training program for VHVs with their peers to increase capacities,confidence,and satisfaction in caring for the older adults with chronic diseases in the community.展开更多
文摘Throughout history, Silk Road played an important role with connecting more than 50 countries between its endpoints. Reviving this ancient trade route is a contemporary discussion among politicians. There are many projects realized and proposed for the resurgence of the modem Silk Road, including the railroad project connecting Baku, Tiflis and Kars of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey; the undersea rail tunnel under the Bosphorus strait, Marmaray; the Silk Road Economic Belt proposed by China; and the Maritime Silk Road, again proposed by China. Just like the original Silk Road, it was not only a route for caravans or trade, but it was a meeting point for cultural, religious, and philosophical exchanges that served humanity for centuries; today＇s modem Silk Road initiatives should be considered as bridges between Eastern and Western civilizations that will serve the same purpose of its ancient predecessor. The revived Silk Road will facilitate strengthening of relationships in between countries that experienced harmony in history. The railways, transportation facilities, transnational gates, energy corridors, and natural gas pipelines that constitute the Silk Road will transform the region with improving its economy and bringing peace and economic prosperity. With recent developments, it witnesses the importance of geopolitical and historical ties in establishing contemporary alliances. Although there are great expectations with the revival of the modern Silk Road, authors would like to emphasize that it should be an agreement to foster shared interests rather than the interest of bigger partners.
基金This study was funded by National Research Council of Thailand(NRCT106/2562)Mae Fah Luang University.The funders had no role in study design,data collection and analysis,decision to publish,or preparation of the manuscript.
文摘Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effect of a peer-training program for village health volunteers(VHVs)to improve chronic disease management among older adults in rural Thailand.Methods The study was guided by community-based participatory research(CBPR).The peer-training program was developed by engaging diverse stakeholders,including community organizations,healthcare services,VHVs,older adults with chronic illnesses,and folk scholars in remote communities with high healthcare needs.The peer-training program comprised a three-day training workshop that convened once a week for three weeks with the following six sessions:knowledge sharing,peer support and empowerment,health literacy and health behavior,the general caring procedure for older adults with chronic illnesses,information sharing and communication,and home visit.From January to April 2021,a total of 28 VHVs completed the peer training program in a rural area in Chiang Rai province,Thailand.The Health Literacy and Health Behavior-3E2S(HLHB-3E2S),the Management of Non-Communicable Diseases Questionnaire(MNCDQ),and a self-confidence questionnaire were used to survey pre(week 1)and post-intervention(week 12),respectively.Then VHVs were interviewed to collect attitudes,and opinions about the intervention.Results After the intervention,the HLHB-3E2S scores(49.39±5.54 vs.52.35±4.26,P=0.001),the MNCDQ scores(44.10±6.27 vs.50.60±4.84,P<0.001),and the self-confidence questionnaire scores(22.28±2.46 vs.23.21±1.81,P=0.01)of VHVs significantly increased.VHVS also reported that the peer-training program enhanced their healthcare services,including health education,chronic disease management,leadership skills,and improving their relationship with healthcare providers.Conclusion Peer training programs are a practical strategy to improve VHVs’capacities.Healthcare professionals should provide a continuous training program for VHVs with their peers to increase capacities,confidence,and satisfaction in caring for the older adults with chronic diseases in the community.
