A study of the self-perceived competencies regarding the knowledge and skills of healthcare providers in the Expanded Program on Immunization in Thailand

Abstract

Purpose The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) has still been found to offer services that do not comply with standards. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain competency in terms of the knowledge and skills of the EPI staff. Design/methodology/approach The research design was a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative method employed a questionnaire survey on the perceived competency of 382 EPI staffs from six regions in Thailand. This was paired alongside of the qualitative method, where four staffs were in-depth interviewed, and the performance of the EPI staffs was observed. Findings The overall perceived competency in the work of immunization was at a high level. A comparative analysis between the quantitative and qualitative data showed findings in three categories. First, the perception of competency was high, and performance conformed to standards in the preparation of the setting and equipment for providing the service; second, the perception of competency was high, but in the performance of their work the participants did not comply completely with standards for scheduling the immunization appointments or for vaccine storage; and third, the perception of competency was either moderate or low, and the performance of work was inadequate for vaccine estimations, registering reports, and dealing with adverse events following immunization. Originality/value The findings showed a gap between perception of knowledge-and-skill competency and actual practice in EPI service. Effective cooperation among involved organizations in order to improve the standard of performance in expanding the quality of EPI service provision in Thailand is suggested.

Acceptance and accessibility to the early phase COVID-19 vaccination among the healthcare workers and hill tribe population in Thailand

“…However, universal coverage does not cover those who are not granted Thai identification (ID) cards, which display the cardholder’s 13-digit ID number and are used to access all public services in Thailand 23 . Immunization is one of the critical missions of health systems and health care professionals under the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand 24 . The Ministry of Public Health launched an expanded immunization program (EPI) to promote immunization to all targeted populations, particularly to prevent childhood diseases, years ago 25 – 27 .…”

Knowledge and Skill Needs in E-course Training of an Expanded Program for Immunization Staff in Thailand: A Mixed-method Design

“…Furthermore, the staff was found to lack confidence and conducted improper practices in vaccine estimation and dealing with AEFI, causing erroneous vaccine disbursement in data management and registration, lacking procedures to assist patients with abnormal symptoms and providing care for emergency patients who had anaphylaxis. Problems were also found in cold chain system management for vaccine storage and improper vaccination services [4]. Similarly, the findings from research conducted abroad found most EPI staff to lack knowledge and understanding of vaccine estimation and vaccine-report registration due to a lack of proper training on providing vaccination services.…”