Views by health professionals on the responsiveness of commune health stations regarding non-communicable diseases in urban Hanoi, Vietnam: a qualitative study

Abstract Background Primary health care plays an important role in addressing the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries. In light of the rapid urbanization of Vietnam, this study aims to explore health professionals’ views about the responsiveness of primary health care services at commune health stations, particularly regarding the increase of NCDs in urban settings. Methods This qualitative study was conducted in Hanoi from July to August 2015. We implemented 19 in-depth interviews with health staff at four purposely selected commune health stations and conducted a brief inventory of existing NCD activities at these commune health stations. We also interviewed NCD managers at national, provincial, and district levels. The interview guides reflected six components of the WHO health system framework, including service delivery, health workforce, health information systems, access to essential medicines, financing, and leadership/governance. A thematic analysis approach was applied to analyze the interview data in this study. Results Six themes, related to the six building blocks of the WHO health systems framework, were identified. These themes explored the responsiveness of commune health stations to NCDs in urban Hanoi. Health staff at commune health stations were not aware of the national strategy for NCDs. Health workers noted the lack of NCD informational materials for management and planning. The limited workforce at health commune stations would benefit from more health workers in general and those with NCD-specific training and skills. In addition, the budget for NCDs at commune health stations remains very limited, with large differences in the implementation of national targeted NCD programs. Some commune health stations had no NCD services available, while others had some programming. A lack of NCD treatment drugs was also noted, with a negative impact on the provision of NCD-related services at commune health stations. These themes were also reflected in the inventory of existing NCD related activities. Conclusions Health professionals view the responsiveness of commune health stations to NCDs in urban Hanoi, Vietnam as weak. Appropriate policies should be implemented to improve the primary health care services on NCDs at commune health stations in urban Hanoi, Vietnam..

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2018

Erschienen:

2018

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:18

Enthalten in:

BMC Health Services Research - 18(2018), 1, Seite 12

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Vu Duy Kien [VerfasserIn]
Hoang Van Minh [VerfasserIn]
Kim Bao Giang [VerfasserIn]
Nawi Ng [VerfasserIn]
Viet Nguyen [VerfasserIn]
Le Thanh Tuan [VerfasserIn]
Malin Eriksson [VerfasserIn]

Links:

doi.org [kostenfrei]
doaj.org [kostenfrei]
link.springer.com [kostenfrei]
Journal toc [kostenfrei]

Themen:

Commune health station
Non-communicable disease
Public aspects of medicine
Responsiveness
Urban
Vietnam

doi:

10.1186/s12913-018-3217-4

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

DOAJ040261379