Global health officers’ competency gaps on knowledge and skills and its associated factors in Vietnam

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to characterize the gaps in competencies related to global health knowledge and skills among global health officers (GHOs) in Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 181 GHOs who engaged in global health activities in health facilities across Vietnam. The study employed a self-development questionnaire to measure the gaps in knowledge and skills among the GHOs. Results: The results showed that the domain with the highest competency gap score for global health knowledge was Social, Economic, and Environmental Determinants of Health (mean score = 5.3, SD = 6.2). Regarding global health skills, Strategic Analysis (mean score = 5.8, SD = 5.4) was the domain with the highest competency gap score. Program Management (mean score = 4.7, SD = 5.9) was the domain with the lowest competency gap score for global health knowledge. Responders gave the Ethics and Professionalism (mean score = 5.1, SD = 5.5) and Global Health Governance (mean score = 5.1, SD = 5.4) domains the lowest competency gap scores for global health skills. Furthermore, the study identified that gender, education level, working organization, and specialty were associated with the competency gaps in global health knowledge and skills among GHOs. Conclusion: The study showed significant gaps in competencies related to global health knowledge and skills among GHOs in Vietnam. The findings highlight the need for targeted training and education in specific skill areas such as: Capacity Strengthening for workforce, Ethics and Professionalism, Communication, Collaboration, and Partnership, Program Management for non-medical field GHOs to enhance their overall global health competency.