A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering of the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1972

This research attempted to develop a methodology t9 improve community health planning in rural areas of developing countries. An investigation of several methods for measuring outputs (benefits) was carried out for eleven major health programs · in Thailand. No common unit to compare outputs among these programs was found. The application of cast-benefit analysis was severely limited. A way of using four criteria for assigning priorities to health improvement programs was-introduced which, like all similar methods, depended upon some-subjective factors. The method appears to provide a more rational approach to priority setting than other methods previously published. A second step in improving community health planning; allocation of resources, was investigated in a case study at Bang-Pa-In. The study represents a general procedure for improving manpower allocation for an integrated health services program in a rural community. Data on manpower efficiency for the second class health centre at Bang Pa-In was discussed.