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. 2018 May 31;18(1):392.
doi: 10.1186/s12913-018-3217-4.

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

Vu Duy Kien  1   2   3 , Hoang Van Minh  4 , Kim Bao Giang  5 , Nawi Ng  6 , Viet Nguyen  7 , Le Thanh Tuan  8 , Malin Eriksson  6
Affiliations

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

Vu Duy Kien et al. BMC Health Serv Res. .

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.

Keywords: Commune health station; Non-communicable disease; Responsiveness; Urban; Vietnam.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This research was approved by Hanoi Medical University and the district health centers in Hanoi (Document No.0084/DHYHN-TTNCHTYT, and Document No. 825/QD-DHYHN). All participants gave verbal informed consent before inclusion in the study. The participants were informed about the study aims and themes discussed during the interview. Participants were informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any time, without additional questions or qualifications. Participants were encouraged to ask questions and seek more explanation if questions were unclear. Participants were made aware of the data collection process, including audio-recording and transcription of the interview. In addition, they were informed about a confidentiality clause, which specified that only the research team could access the study data, and all results were documented to ensure anonymity. All participants agreed prior to participation.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The adapted analytical framework for the responsiveness of commune health stations to non-communicable disease
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