Barriers in providing maternal health care services in a mountainous area.

PURPOSE: While programs had been implemented by both the government and non-governmental organizations to address inequity in maternal health care in mountainous areas in Vietnam, the expected outcomes were not fully reached due to existing barriers from health workers mainly providing the health services. This study explores prominent issues faced by health workers in delivering maternal care in Cao Bang, focusing on their impact on the local population's daily lives and overall development. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted with 15 participants working as health managers, commune health workers, commune midwives, and village health workers in selected communes of a mountainous and border district located in the Northeast Cao Bang province. RESULTS: Main barriers include the incompetent healthcare workforce, ineffective use of facility resources, lack of work commitment, and unscientific traditional beliefs. CONCLUSION: Future community programs should implement strict policies, defined rights, and clear responsibilities for health workers handling these obstacles to optimize the quality of maternal health care services in these remote areas.

The Use of Video in Delivering Maternal Health Education in Mountainous Areas: A Qualitative Exploration of the Experience of Health Workers.

BACKGROUND: Health education via DVD/video has been demonstrated as a novel method to encourage a positive change and improvement in patients' health behaviors. A community health project was implemented in Cao Bang, a mountainous area of Vietnam, for health workers to use tablets, portable projectors, and television to disseminate health education messages via designed video clips. METHOD AND OBJECTIVES: A qualitative study using semi-structured individual and group interviews was conducted with 25 health workers in Trung Khanh district to explore their experience of using video in providing health education. RESULTS: The video was confirmed to be an accessible, interactive, and flexible tool supporting health education activities in this mountainous area. However, some health workers in the mountainous area struggled due to a lack of technological skills and responsibility for their work. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: More training on using technology for health professionals and incorporating video-based health education activities into labor contract-based responsibilities can alleviate present obstacles.