Purpose: Immunization is the most cost-effective health strategy, contributing significantly to public health interventions for all ages, particularly for children. However, caregivers' satisfaction with immunization systems affects their decisions on immunization for their children. This study evaluated the levels of clients' satisfaction toward child immunization and to identify its associated factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 40 commune health centers (CHCs) in 24 districts in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam among 1200 caregivers of children aged under 5 years. Clients who took their children to CHCs for immunization were recruited based on convenience sampling technique and were asked to complete a self-report questionnaire. Satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction with Immunization Service Questionnaire (SWISQ). Ordinal logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with satisfaction levels.
Results: The majority of participants were female (85.5%) with a mean age of 33.3 (standard deviation = 9.0). Approximately 60% of participants reported a moderate (40.2%) or high (17.1%) level of satisfaction. Participants with older children and those who waited for a longer duration had a lower satisfaction level. In contrast, high satisfaction level was found to be positive associated with being reminded by healthcare workers and the condition of follow-up areas, vaccine storage and the immunization process met participant's need.
Conclusion: The level of clients' satisfaction toward child immunization at grassroot healthcare centers in Ho Chi Minh City is relatively low, with 40.2% having moderate satisfaction and 17.1% having high satisfaction. Strategies to improve vaccination programs at CHCs are needed, focusing on clients' experiences at CHCs during vaccination sessions. Further studies are also needed to have an in-depth understanding of more factors affecting satisfaction in this population.
Keywords: Vietnam; child immunization; community healthcare center; service satisfaction.
© 2023 Truong et al.