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Abstract Background Participatory approaches have become a widely applied research approach. Despite their popularity, there are many challenges associated with the evaluation of participatory projects. Here we describe an evaluation of a community-based participatory research study of underserved communities in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam at risk for hepatitis C virus. The goals of our evaluation were to explore the main benefits and challenges of implementing and participating in a participatory study and to describe study impacts. Methods We conducted two meetings with leaders and members of the participating groups followed by in-depth interviews with 10 participants. We then held a dissemination meeting with over 70 participants, including the representatives of each group, researchers from non-governmental organizations (community-based, national and international), and govenrment officials from the Vietnam Ministry of Health and the Department of Health of HCMC. Results Results include four categories where we describe first the participatory impacts, followed by the collaborative impacts. Then we describe the benefits and challenges of creating and belonging to one of the groups, from members’ and leaders’ points of view. Finally, we describe the key suggestions that participants provided for future research. Conclusion In conclusion, the evaluation approach led to both a research reflection on the ‘success’ of the project and enabled participants themselves to reflect on the outcomes and benefits of the study from their point of view.

Edible seaweed - Caulerpa lentillifera is being cultivated along the coast of Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam, and makes a relatively large contribution to the economic development of this region. Bacterial strains originating from marine sources such as those associated with seaweed and hard coral were screened for properties of promote plant growth with the capacity of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) - a phytohormone belonging to auxin group, the phosphate solubilization ability and antibacterial activity of IAA-producing strains were also performed in this study. Robust strains were identified by morphological methods with biochemical tests and analysis of 16s RNA sequences. Isolate RN06 produced high amounts of IAA, utilized inorganic phosphate, and inhibited Bacillus subtilis ATCC6633, Escherichia coli 0157, and Serratia marcescens PDL100. The IAA producer HRA5 isolated from hard coral demonstrated the ability to solubilize phosphate and exhibited antibacterial activity against B. subtilis. Morphological analysis and 16sRNA sequencing showed that isolate RN06 was the closest strain to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and HRA5 was linked to Pseudomonas sp. This is the first report of isolated bacteria from seaweed and corals from the Vietnamese sea served as potential strains for further research of the application of biological inoculants specifically for seaweed farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundApproximately 1. 07 million people in Vietnam are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). To address this epidemic, the South East Asian Research Collaborative in Hepatitis (SEARCH) launched a 600-patient cohort study and two clinical trials, both investigating shortened treatment strategies for chronic HCV infection with direct-acting antiviral drugs. We conducted ethnographic research with a subset of trial participants and found that the majority were aware of HCV infection and its implications and were motivated to seek treatment. However, people who inject drugs (PWID), and other groups at risk for HCV were under-represented, although injecting drug use is associated with high rates of HCV.Material and MethodsWe designed a community-based participatory research (CBPR) study to engage in dialogues surrounding HCV and other community-prioritized health issues with underserved groups at risk for HCV in Ho Chi Minh City. The project consists of three phases: situation analysis, CBPR implementation, and dissemination. In this paper, we describe the results of the first phase (i.e., the situation analysis) in which we conducted desk research and organized stakeholder mapping meetings with representatives from local non-government and community-based organizations where we used participatory research methods to identify and analyze key stakeholders working with underserved populations.ResultsTwenty six institutions or groups working with the key underserved populations were identified. Insights about the challenges and dynamics of underserved communities were also gathered. Two working groups made up of representatives from the NGO and CBO level were formed.DiscussionUsing the information provided by local key stakeholders to shape the project has helped us to build solid relationships, give the groups a sense of ownership from the early stages, and made the project more context specific. These steps are not only important preliminary steps for participatory studies but also for other research that takes place within the communities.

In 2 O 3 nanostructure sensors were fabricated by arc-discharging a source composed of a graphite tube containing indium. The NO gas sensing properties, as well as the morphology, structure, and electrical properties, were examined at room temperature under UV light illumination. In particular, the response and recovery kinetics of the sensor at room temperature under various UV light intensities were studied. The maximum response signal was observed at an intermediate UV light intensity, which could be corroborated by a nano-size effect based on the conduction model of a resistive chemical nano sensor. The mechanism for the enhanced adsorption/desorption kinetics for NO in an air environment under UV light irradiation is discussed in detail. Furthermore, the general requirements of the sensor, including the stability, repeatability, and selectivity, are discussed.