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Purpose: Cancer is a leading cause of death in Vietnam. To maximize quality of life (QOL) at the end of life, valid and clinically useful instruments are needed to assess palliative care needs and the effectiveness of palliative care interventions. Methods: We aimed to (i) determine psychometric properties of the Vietnamese version of the WHO abbreviated quality of life scale (WHOQOL-BREFVN) among advanced cancer patients, (ii) measure HR-QOL, and (iii) identify predictors of HR-QOL. We collected demographic, clinical, and HR-QOL data from stage III/IV adult cancer patients at two major Vietnamese cancer centers. We determined the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)), and discriminant validity (known-groups comparison) of the Vietnamese instrument. HR-QOL was analyzed descriptively. Multinomial logistic regressions identified predictors of HR-QOL. Results: A total of 825 patients participated. Missing data were completely at random (MCAR) (chi-square = 14.270, df = 14, p = 0.430). Cronbach's alpha for all items was 0.904. CFA loadings of physical, psychological, social relationship, and environment domains onto HR-QOL were 0.81, 0.82, 0.34, and 0.75, respectively. Prediction of scores differed significantly by functional status (Wilks' lambda = 0.784, chi-square = 197.546, df = 4, p < 0.01, correct prediction = 74.6%). HR-QOL was reported as very bad/bad by n = 188 patients (22.8%) and general health as very bad/bad by n = 430 (52.1%). Multinomial logistic regression (likelihood ratio test: chi-square = 35.494, df = 24, p = 0.061, correct prediction = 62.2%) and the Pearson correlations revealed worse HR-QOL was associated with inpatient status, high ECOG score, and having dependent children. Conclusion: The Vietnamese version of the WHOQOL-BREF has excellent internal consistency reliability and sound construct and discriminant validity in advanced cancer patients. Advanced cancer inpatients, those with dependent children, and those with poorer physical function appear to have the greatest palliative care needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmental defects of enamel (DDE) are induced and regulated by several factors including genetics and the environment. There is evidence showing that dioxin in polluted areas has a strong effect on the health and development of teeth. However, there has been no study on DDE in the dioxin-affected regions in Vietnam. To identify the effect of dioxin on the prevalence of DDE in studied areas in Vietnam, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 2200 adults in the A Luoi district in the Thua Thien Hue province (the dioxin-affected region) and in the Kim Bang district in the Ha Nam province (dioxin-unaffected region) in 2015. All subjects were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and their teeth were examined and scored for enamel defects based on the 1992 FDI criteria. The defected teeth were then photographed. Our results showed that the DDE rate in A Luoi was 20.5% when measured as mouth prevalence and 5.8% when measured as tooth prevalence, while the rates in Kim Bang were 10.4 and 2.32% for mouth and tooth prevalence, respectively. Demarcated opacities were predominated in both districts (45.5% in A Luoi and 52.2% in Kim Bang). The DDE rate of the anterior teeth group was higher than that of the posterior teeth group. Most lesions presented on the buccal surface of the tooth. Overall, the DDE prevalence in the dioxin-affected region was 2.2 times higher than that in non-dioxin-affected region in the studied regions in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major occupational health problematic among healthcare workers, and the prevalence is especially high among nurses. In high income countries, the prevention of MSDs is an occupational health priority. But in Vietnam, there is no data available among health professionals. Objectives. To determine the prevalence and associated factors of musculoskeletal disorders among district hospital nurses in Haiphong city. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1179 nurses working in 15 district hospitals using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. Results. A very high prevalence of MSDs in the past 12 months (74.7%) and during the last 7 days (41.1%), with the two most common sites being the low back (44.4%) and neck (44.1%), was found; 37.8% complained that MSDs symptoms limit their work. When analyzing factors related to MSDs, the results showed that women were 2.1 times more likely to develop MSDs than men; people with a previous history of MSDs were more likely to develop MSDs symptoms in the past 12 months than those with no history (OR = 7.1); nurses with symptoms of psychological distress and frequent absenteeism in the workplace had a higher prevalence of MSDs compared to the rest (p<0.001). Conclusions. Due to the high prevalence of MSDs among nurses in district hospitals in Haiphong, preventive actions are needed to improve the working conditions and to raise the awareness of nurses about MSDs prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vietnam began providing methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) in 2008; as of June 2016, 44,479 persons who inject drugs (PWID) were in treatment in 57 provinces. However, 10-23% of patients were estimated to have dropped out of treatment during the first 2 years. We evaluated dropout and factors associated with quitting treatment. Methods: We followed clients ⩾ 18 years old enrolled in five MMT clinics in Haiphong for 3 years. Persons who missed a consecutive month of methadone treatment were considered to have dropped out and were not allowed to return; those who missed greater than five consecutive doses were considered to be non-compliant but were allowed to restart treatment at their initial dose. Clients who dropped out or who were non-compliant during their third year of MMT (cases) were traced and matched with two clients who remained in treatment (controls) by gender, age and length of time in the program. Cases and controls were interviewed. Additional data on levels of yearly retention were abstracted from clinic records. Results: Among the 1055 patients initially enrolled in MMT, dropout and non-compliance combined was 13.6% during the first year, 16.5% during the second year and 22.3% during the third year. By 36 months, 33.3% of clients had dropped out, of whom 10.6% had died and 24% had been arrested. We traced and interviewed 81 clients who dropped out or who were non-compliant during year 3 as well as 161 controls. The primary reasons for dropping out included claiming no dependence on heroin (22.2%), conflict with work (21.0%), health problems (16.0%) and inability to afford the methadone co-payment of approximately 0.5 USD/day (14.8%). Independent factors associated with non-compliance included continuing to use heroin (aOR = 12.4, 95% CI 4.2-36.8) and missing greater than three doses during the previous 3 months (aOR = 18.5, 95% CI 7.4-47.1); receiving a daily dose of > 120 mg of methadone was associated with a lower odds ratio of dropping out (aOR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.9). Conclusion: By 3 years, one third of all patients in treatment had permanently dropped out. Ensuring that methadone dosing is adequate and reducing or eliminating the co-payment fee for those who cannot afford it could improve retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]