Objective
  The trend of population aging in the 21^st century is especially prominent in Thailand. Hence, age related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has become top ranked causes of mortality in Thailand. As those functional limitations increase, the assistance by village health volunteers (VHVs) has become more necessary. However there is high turnover rate of VHVs in Thailand. This study, therefore, aimed to identify predictors that lead to the VHVs’ intention to leave their roles as elderly caregivers.
Methods
  A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in February, 2014. A total of 415 self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the VHVs who have engaged in elderly home care in Mueang district in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were employed to identify significant predictors of the VHVs’ turnover intention.
Results
  Approximately one-third of VHVs (33.5%) intended to leave volunteering in elderly care. Significant predictors of VHVs’ intention to leave elderly care were: volunteering duration of≤6 years (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)＝2.69, 95% CI＝1.33-5.40), having no other responsibilities (AOR＝2.40, 95% CI＝1.38-4.18), being absent more than once a month (AOR＝2.25, 95% CI＝1.28-3.95) and low level of job satisfaction (AOR＝5.62, 95% CI＝2.26-13.99). VHVs who were poorly satisfied with their roles were 5.62 times more likely to leave elderly care than those who highly satisfied when adjusting for other factors.
Conclusion
  Improving work place supports and incentives to promote job satisfaction will result in a reduction in VHVs’ turnover intention.