Public health in Vietnam: scientific evidence for policy changes and interventions

Sex differences in frailty of geriatric outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Frailty and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can occur concurrently and are increasingly prevalent in older populations. There is a marked variability in frailty progression between men and women. This study aimed to investigate sex differences in the prevalence and factors associated with frailty in older outpatients with T2DM. This multicentre cross-sectional study included 638 outpatients (aged ≥ 60 years; median age 71 years [interquartile range, 66-77]; male, 55.5%) and was conducted from January 2019 to July 2020. Frailty was assessed using the Fried frailty phenotype. Factors associated with frailty were assessed using a logistic regression analysis. The overall frailty prevalence was 28.2% (men, 26.8%; women, 29.9%; P = 0.388). In the adjusted model, the factors associated with greater odds of being frail were older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.11; P < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI) less than 20 kg/m² (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.16-3.32; P = 0.012). Higher education (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.42-0.98; P = 0.041) and productive work (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03-0.36; P < 0.001) were protective factors against frailty. Frailty was associated with all four factors in women, but only with older age and productive work in men. Our study found that the prevalence of frailty in older outpatients with T2DM was 28.2%, though not significantly different between men and women. While older age and BMI less than 20 kg/m² can increase the odds of frailty, and higher education and productive work can decrease the odds of frailty in women, only age and productive work were associated with frailty in men with T2DM.

Non-achievement of the Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Goal in Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and a Very High Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Multicenter Study in Vietnam

BACKGROUND

Lowering the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) level is important for reducing cardiovascular (CV) events. However, little is known about the management of LDL-c in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with the non-achievement of LDL-c goals in older T2DM patients with a very high risk of CV diseases.

METHODS

This multicenter cross-sectional study measured the LDL-c levels of 733 T2DM outpatients from December 2019 to July 2020. The patients were aged ≥60 years, had very high risks of CV disease, and had been on LDL-c-lowering therapy for 6 months or more. The goal of lipid concentrations were assessed based on the recent guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology. We applied logistic regression analysis to identify the factors associated with the non-achievement of the LDL-c goal.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 68.6±7.2 years. In total, 654 patients (89.2%) did not achieve the aggressive LDL-c goal of <1.4 mmol/L. In the adjusted model, the factors associated with the non-achievement of the LDL-c goal were obesity defined by body mass index (odds ratio [OR]=2.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-4.81; p=0.022) and high-intensity statin therapy (OR=0.03; 95% CI, 0.01-0.05; p<0.001), while age, sex, education level, smoking habit, and comorbidities were not associated.

CONCLUSION

Older patients with T2DM who are at a very high CV disease risk are often unable to achieve their LDL-c goal. Obesity can increase the probability of not achieving the LDL-c goal, whereas high-intensity statin therapy can decrease this probability.

Understanding context: A qualitative analysis of the roles of family caregivers of people living with cancer in Vietnam and the implications for service development in low-income settings

OBJECTIVES

Research on the needs of family caregivers of people living with cancer remains disproportionately focused in high income contexts. This research gap adds to the critical challenge on global equitable delivery of cancer care. This study describes the roles of family caregivers of people living with cancer in Vietnam and possible implications for intervention development.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews and focus groups with family caregivers (n = 20) and health care providers (n = 22) were conducted in two national oncology hospitals. Findings were verified via workshops with carers (n = 11) and health care professionals (n = 28) in five oncology hospitals representing different regions of Vietnam. Data was analyzed collaboratively by an international team of researchers according to thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Family caregivers in Vietnam provide an integral role in the delivery of inpatient cancer care. In the hospital environment families are responsible for multiple roles including feeding, hydration, changing, washing, moving, wound care and security of personal belongings. Central to this role is primary decision making in terms of treatment and end-of-life care; relaying information, providing nutritional, emotional and financial support. Families are forced to manage severe complications and health care needs with minimal health literacy and limited health care professional input.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding context and the unique roles of family caregivers of people living with cancer is critical in the development of supportive services. As psycho-oncology develops in low and middle income contexts, it is essential that family caregiver roles are of significant importance.

Unmet Healthcare Needs and Associated Factors in Rural and Suburban Vietnam: A Cross-Sectional Study

The purpose of this study was to examine the current utilization of healthcare services, exploring unmet healthcare needs and the associated factors among people living in rural Vietnam. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 233 participants in a rural area. The methods included face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire, and anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. We considered participants to have unmet health needs if they had any kind of health problem during the past 12 months for which they were unable to see a healthcare provider. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with unmet healthcare needs. Of the participants, 18% (n = 43) had unmet healthcare needs, for reasons like transportation (30%), a lack of available doctors or medicine (47%), and communication issues with healthcare providers (16%). The multivariate logistic regression showed that living in a rural area, having stage 2 hypertension, and having insurance were associated with unmet healthcare needs. To better meet the healthcare needs in rural or suburban areas of Vietnam, allocation of adequate healthcare resources should be distributed in rural areas and insurance coverage for personalized healthcare needs might be required. Efforts should focus on availability of medicine, improvement of transportation systems, and communication skills of healthcare providers to improve access to healthcare services.

<p>Implementation of Health Policy on Establishment of Provincial Center of Diseases Control (CDC) in Vietnam</p>

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Breast Cancer messaging in Vietnam: an online media content analysis

Background

Breast cancer incidence is increasing in Vietnam with studies indicating low levels of knowledge and awareness and late presentation. While there is a growing body of literature on challenges faced by women in accessing breast cancer services, and for delivering care, no studies have sought to analyse breast cancer messaging in the Vietnamese popular media. The aim of this study was to investigate and understand the content of messages concerning breast cancer in online Vietnamese newspapers in order to inform future health promotional content.

Methods

This study describes a mixed-methods media content analysis that counted and ranked frequencies for media content (article text, themes and images) related to breast cancer in six Vietnamese online news publications over a twelve month period.

Results

Media content (n = 129 articles & n = 237 images) sampled showed that although information is largely accurate, there is a marked lack of stories about Vietnamese women’s personal experiences. Such stories could help bridge the gap between what information about breast cancer is presented in the Vietnamese media, and what women in Vietnam understand about breast cancer risk factors, symptoms, screening and treatment.

Conclusions

Given findings from other studies indicating low levels of knowledge and women with breast cancer experiencing stigma and prejudice, more nuanced and in-depth narrative-focused messaging may be required.

Knowledge and Perceptions of Influenza Vaccinations Among College Students in Vietnam and the United States

Objectives

Influenza is a significant worldwide public health issue. Knowledge and perceptions regarding the flu vaccination are associated with whether individuals obtain the vaccination. The purpose of this study was to examine how such perceptions were related to knowledge and self-efficacy regarding influenza and the flu vaccination in Vietnam and the US.

Methods

College students (n=932) in Vietnam (n=495) and the US (n=437) completed a self-administered survey regarding knowledge and perceptions of influenza vaccinations in September and October 2016.

Results

Vietnamese participants reported significantly lower levels of awareness about flu risk, higher levels of negative attitudes toward flu vaccination, lower levels of knowledge about the flu and vaccination, and lower levels of self-efficacy than US participants. Higher levels of flu and flu vaccination knowledge and self-efficacy regarding general responsible health practices were associated with lower levels of negative perceptions of flu risk and attitudes toward vaccination. At the same time, self-efficacy regarding responsible health practices was associated with higher levels of awareness of flu risk and lower levels of negative attitudes toward vaccination. Self-efficacy regarding exercise was associated with lower levels of perceptions of flu risk and higher levels of negative attitudes toward vaccination.

Conclusions

Vietnam could benefit from influenza education based on this comparison with the US. In both countries, knowledge and self-efficacy were found to be important factors influencing perceptions of influenza risk and vaccination.