Implementation of Health Policy on Establishment of Provincial Center of Diseases Control (CDC) in Vietnam

Abstract

Purpose

There is increasing interest in the understanding of key influences over successful implementation of health policies within ever-changing contexts of national health systems. The epidemiological transition in Vietnam, combined with an urgent need for improving efficiency of the national health system under the government’s administrative reforms, form important facilitators of restructuring the public health system. This paper explored the implementation processes of policy on establishment of the Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) in Vietnam during 2016–2019.

Methods

The study employed a cross-sectional and mixed methods design. Staff surveys were collected at 55 out of 63 provinces and in-depth interviews, focus groups were conducted in three purposefully selected provinces. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The innovation implementation framework guided the study.

Results

After 3 years of introduction, 82.5% of provinces had established the CDCs. Implementation of CDC establishment policy was influenced by 1) management support; 2) alignment between policy and practice; 3) values towards CDC,; and 4) implementation climate. Other external key influencers included political, social, and cultural factors.

Conclusion

Our study provides a framework and evidence to guide future inquiry into the factors that affect the relationship between policy implementation and other contextual factors in healthcare organizations.

Keywords:

• Centers for Diseases Control
• CDC
• public health
• innovation implementation framework

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank all the participants that agreed to contribute to this research despite their busy schedule.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed to data analysis, drafting or revising the article, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

All authors declare no conflicts of interest in this paper.

Additional information

Funding

No external funding was received for this study and internal resources from Hanoi University of Public Health were utilized for data collection and analysis alongside the time donated by all co-authors.