A participatory evaluation of community-based rehabilitation programme in North Central Vietnam

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct a participatory evaluation of the community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programme in North Central Vietnam to ascertain the extent of success with the World Health Organization (WHO) model. In 1992, for the first time a non-governmental organization (NGO) was formed in this region to plan and implement the CBR approach based on the WHO model for meeting the needs of persons with disabilities (PWD). The programme is currently being implemented in ten districts and has been able to affect 24.6% of PWD in this region. Methods: A framework of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis was used. Participatory data collection was done at the village, commune, district, provincial, and central levels using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The data were examined against the five principles of the WHO model: available resource utilization, knowledge transfer, community participation, referral services strengthening and multisectoral coordination. Results: The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats across all levels were collated and presented. Conclusion: Specific strengths have been found in three out of five principles of the WHO Model. The programme would benefit by consolidating on the positive aspects in years to come.