Vietnamese Perceptions of Community and Health: Implications for the Practice of Community Health Education

Abstract

This article examines the perceptions of community, community-based organizations, and their attributed influence on health and behavior. This case study is based on data from sixty survey questionnaires and forty-three in-depth interviews conducted with Vietnamese community residents, including a group of health workers. Some participants attributed the same supportive role and function to the community as a social unit (“cong dong”) and the community-based organizations (“co quan cong dong”). Health was considered by far the most important component when compared to family, finance, and community. While the influence of the community on their own personal health was perceived as limited, significant influence was attributed to community expectations in personal behaviors. Findings are examined within the context of an evolving process of adaptation to a new environment, the role of culture as a barrier or facilitator for health promotion, and the limitations of the study.