Abstract
BackgroundThere is a paucity of data on the operational readiness capacities of the grassroots health system in Vietnam while it plays a vital role as a first-line defense against health emergencies, including the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This study, therefore, aims to assess the operational readiness capacities of the grassroots health system in response to epidemics and provides implications for controlling COVID-19 in Vietnam.MethodsAn online cross-sectional study using the respondent-driven sampling technique was conducted with 6029 health professionals and medical students in Vietnam from December 2019 to February 2020. The operational readiness capacities of the health system were assessed by the sufficiency of health professionals, administrative and logistics staffs, equipment and facilities, and general capacity of health professionals. Kruskal-Wallis test, Fisher exact test and χ2 test were employed to identify the differences among variables. Tobit and censored regression models were operated to determine associated factors.ResultsThe operational readiness capacities of the grassroots health system for four assessed criteria were at moderate levels, ranging from 6.3 to 6.8 over 10. In Vietnam, the grassroots health system in rural areas, in the South, and at the district level were more likely to be vulnerable compared to their counterparts.ConclusionsAccording to empirical data, this study reveals the vulnerability of the grassroots health system in Vietnam and provides the rationality of prompt and vigorous actions of the Vietnamese Government against COVID-19. Findings also offer useful insights for effective strategies to strengthen the grassroots health system in the long term. In the short term, practicing precautionary measures and mobilizing human resources, as well as medical equipment, are needed to successfully contain COVID-19 in Vietnam.
Highlights
There is a paucity of data on the operational readiness capacities of the grassroots health system in Vietnam while it plays a vital role as a first-line defense against health emergencies, including the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
According to empirical data, this study reveals the vulnerability of the grassroots health system in Vietnam and provides the rationality of prompt and vigorous actions of the Vietnamese Government against COVID-19
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a human-to-human infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) with initial symptoms similar to seasonal flu such as fever, dry cough, and tiredness [1,2]
Summary
An online cross-sectional study using the respondent-driven sampling technique was conducted with 6029 health professionals and medical students in Vietnam from December 2019 to February 2020. The target subjects included health professionals and medical students who were actively involved in national health campaigns by the Vietnam Young Physicians Association. With its establishment in 2009, the association has been pioneering in community health interventions, providing over 2 million freeof-charge health check-ups every year with involvement of over 80 000 physicians and medical students nationwide. The medical training curriculums at Vietnamese medical university requires senior students to implement field practicum and community health education and interventions throughout their programs. Both health professional and medical students have in-depth understanding of the health system, and experiences at the forefront of management, control, and prevention of any infectious disease outbreaks
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