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Reformatory students are those whose deviant behaviors and habits prevent them from receiving education under normal educational conditions. These students frequently lead a careless, undisciplined lifestyle, being unwilling to work and learn eager to play and demanding. Therefore, when they are admitted to reformatories with severe study and lifestyle requirements, they have great psychological difficulty adjusting to their new environment. Students' psychological issues in adapting to reformatory learning and living regimes are difficult and psychological deficits make it challenging for students to adapt to reformatory learning and living conditions. In Vietnam, 665 students from reformatory schools were polled to determine the causes of psychological issues. According to the findings, a variety of elements contribute to students' psychological difficulties. Individual student conditions such as health, awareness, attitudes and actions as well as inappropriate habits, living without goals or aspirations, etc. are on the subjective side of the equation. On the objective side are the students' conditions, family, education and psychological obstacles brought on by less-than-ideal circumstances which will make it more difficult for community students to adapt. Both the new school and society must pay more attention to reformatory students in order to establish the conditions necessary for successful integration into the new school and ultimate readmission into society for these students.

The problem of juvenile delinquency is a social phenomenon that has existed throughout the history of humanity and a social issue that not only affects the growth of the economy and the maintenance of social security and order, but also has a significant impact on the function and role that the family of juvenile offenders play in society. Using quantitative research design and descriptive statistical methodologies were in the study. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the self-reports of 665 adolescents attending detention centres in Vietnam. This analysis will consider the adolescents' level of ability to self-awareness and expectations of the future maintained by adolescents; The research also discusses the efforts that adolescents have taken to achieve their expectations. The findings indicate that adolescents have a high level of self-awareness regarding regret for previous mistakes, and that self-awareness is indicative of a person who always tries for development and cares about the future. In addition, adolescents assert that they have lofty aspirations for the future and that, despite attending a remedial school, they are making positive efforts to achieve their objectives. Significant theoretical and practical contributions have been made as a result of the research. Providing educators and policymakers with a theoretical framework on which to develop the measurements and strategies that will help young people achieve their goals and be able to reintegrate into the community.

Technology integration in second language acquisition (SLA) has become prevalent and prominent in the modern age. Quizlet has emerged as a vocabulary learning tool integrated not only into computers (CALL) but also into mobile phones (MALL), over the years; its effectiveness has already been proved via several quasi-experimental studies. However, such research is still limited; some did not even include a control group. Further, whether learners' individual differences may have any impact on Quizlet effectiveness in promoting lexical gains remains unknown. To address these gaps, this study was conducted with the participation of 68 Vietnamese undergraduates, following a pretest-posttest design together with semi-structured interviews. While the control group (N = 35) reviewed lexical items in a conventional way, the experimental group (N = 33) used Quizlet for vocabulary revision. Prior to the five-week treatment, all participants took the pretest, receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge tests, and three working memory tests. When all revision sessions were completed, all participants took the posttest. Then, five random learners in the experimental group were invited to join the semi-structured interviews. Results showed that while revision on Quizlet led to greater lexical gains, working memory and prior vocabulary knowledge did not play any significant role in predicting such improvements. Pedagogical implications for teachers and recommendations for future research were also provided to address vocabulary retention, individual differences, and the use of Quizlet more effectively.

Vocabulary plays a significant role in the learning process of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students, especially undergraduates who need to read academic materials and listen to specialized lectures in English. However, retaining lexical items is still a challenging task for many EFL learners. The current study seeks to examine the effectiveness of a constructivist approach in improving EFL learners' vocabulary retention, mainly meaning recall, as well as investigate their attitude towards this learning method. To achieve this aim, a quasi-experimental design, including a pretest and a posttest, was employed with the participation of 75 EFL Vietnamese undergraduates. The participants were assigned into two groups: the control group (Group 1, N = 37) and the experimental group (Group 2, N = 38). While Group 1 was taught in a conventional way, Group 2 received vocabulary training following the constructivist approach. At the end of the eight-week treatment, a questionnaire was administered to the experimental group to gauge their view on vocabulary learning using constructivism. The results showed that Group 2 retained lexical items more effectively than Group 1. Furthermore, the experimental group had a favorable opinion of learning vocabulary in the constructivist approach. Recommendations for future studies as well as implications for teachers regarding vocabulary and constructivism, were presented in detail.

This article responds to scholarly calls to engage with diaspora in the context of transnational educational mobilities in global higher education. It maintains that transnational academic mobilities produce a particular kind of academic diaspora, that is often valued by both home and host countries but in ways that vary and serve different interests and aspirations. While the contrasting perspectives on brain circulation and brain drain persist, what this article argues is that systemic inequalities are (re)produced through the processes of transnational academic mobilities, which privilege the mobility of some and not others, and at the same time under-value the home-grown academics and overseas-trained academics that return home. The current diaspora politics is located within this complex, hierarchical, and dynamic cultural, political and economic space. In particular, it pinpoints how the promoted desirability of diasporic brains and talents in policy and practice has continued to reproduce and consolidate academic inequalities. The article then argues for place-based/at home transnationality, seeing it as productive counter position to help reduce inequalities. The article employs self-study research and is informed by a bricolage of data on Vietnam and its Vietnamese transnational academic diasporas gathered at different points in time and in different contexts.

This article is concerned with the internationalisation of higher education and student mobility for society and community engagement purposes. Drawing on the specific case study of Universiti Brunei Darussalam's Community Outreach Programme overseas, it examines the programme's operation in Vietnam as well as investigates Bruneian students' experiences during their programme activities in this Asian country. The article also explores the impacts of such experiences on the students' growth and transformations. The reported growth and transformations, on the one hand, demonstrate the importance of social engagement beyond campus and correspond to the internationalisation in higher education for society agenda recently advocated by international education scholars and practitioners. They also offer rich insights into (inter-Asian) student mobility for non-academic purposes, which remain largely under-researched. On the other hand, underlying the students' transformative experiences are many issues associated with student safety and wellbeing that require ethical responses and appropriate adaptive pedagogies.

The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of capital structure on the credit risk of Vietnamese commercial banks in 2012–2020. The variables representing the capital structure of banks are the ratio of customer deposits to total assets (CDEP) and non-deposit liabilities to total assets (NDEP). The study uses the non-performing loan ratio on total outstanding loans (NPL) as a proxy variable for credit risk. By using Pooled OLS, FEM, REM, FGLS, and SysGMM methods, the research results show that the CDEP positively impacts credit risk. Meanwhile, the NDEP has a negative impact on the credit risk of Vietnamese commercial banks. On that basis, the study proposes measures to reduce credit risk for Vietnamese commercial banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental changes and human impact can alter biodiversity in negative manners that affect mankind's sustainable development. Particularly, such effects on inland waters are even more concerning, as those ecosystems play essential roles in sustaining human life as well as relevant wildlife. Thus, in this study, we investigated such effects on microbial diversity in inland waters in Vietnam using bacterial communities in sediment as indicators. To do this, we collected sediment samples from various locations in three respective regions (Red river in the north, Ba river in the central area, and Mekong delta flood zone in the south) using standard methods, extracted their total DNA, sequenced their V3-V4 16S rRNA gene fragments using an Illumina Miseq platform and analyzed the sequences to infer the diversity of the bacterial communities in the samples. These communities were compared in terms of richness (alpha diversity) and composition (beta diversity), and the correlations between their diversity levels and environmental factors, as well as human activities, were analyzed by using standard statistical tools. Our results showed that the communities were different from each other solely by region, in richness and critically in composition, although there were some communities distinctively different from all the others. Among environmental factors, only water salinity (and conductivity) had negative correlations with alpha-diversity indices of the bacterial communities, and phosphate concentration and turbidity had positive correlations, while the other factors had almost no correlations, which partially explains the region-specific diversity. These results also suggest that climate change incidences, especially sea intrusion, can have significant effects on microbial diversity in inland waters. The impact of human activities did not appear severe, solely affecting bacterial community richness, but not significantly affecting bacterial community composition. However, apparently reduced bacterial diversity in several sites with intense human impacts and distinct environmental conditions should be noted and deserve further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is about 'global south' actors and global south--global south interactions in the context of the internationalization of higher education (IHE), with a focus on a Vietnamese university and the mobilities of students moving through this educational space. It discusses in what ways this university sees its multi-layered association with the Philippines as a bridge, a catalyst that could fulfill its aspirations for internationalization which is largely attached to English, 'the West', the idea of 'the West', and becoming global. The article shows how the participation in and consumption of such aspirations/desires by new IHE players could reproduce and widen social inequalities between and within 'global south' actors but also bring about (unexpected) possibilities and transformations in a context of considerable educational mediocrity. It points to the contradictions inherent in these developments and the ways in which these developments may feed into uneven access to and experiences of IHE.

While the educational literature mentions several obstacles affecting the effectiveness of collaborative learning (CL), they have often been investigated through the perceptions of only one actor, either teachers or students. Therefore, some sources of obstacles that teachers and students encounter may not have been revealed. In this study, 19 teachers and 23 students in different disciplines at a pre-service teacher education faculty at a university in Vietnam were interviewed. In total, 47% of the teachers taught science subjects and 53% taught social subjects; 35% of the students majored in science subjects, 57% in social subjects, and 8% in primary education. With regard to study cohorts, 22% of the students were in the first and second year while 78% were in the third and fourth year of their four-year bachelor's programme. These programmes produce qualified teachers for primary and secondary schools nationwide. Based on grounded theory analysis, four common obstacles to collaboration were identified: students' lack of collaborative skills, free-riding, competence status, and friendship. Furthermore, the results showed three interrelated antecedents that contribute to these obstacles. Central to the antecedents is the strong focus of the teachers on the cognitive aspects of CL, which led the participating teachers to neglect the collaborative aspects of CL. These antecedents were demonstrated in the ways teachers set CL goals, provided instruction, and assessed student collaboration. This study may be useful for educators, designers, and researchers to foster the quality of student collaboration.

A new heterotrophic dinoflagellate, Protoperidinium vietnamicum sp. nov. is described from the coastal waters of Vietnam. It is characterized by an elongated, pentagonal to pyriform body in ventral and dorsal view, with moderate dorsoventral compression. Epitheca is tapering into a robust apical horn, which is shorter than the antapical horns. Cingulum is equatorial, descending by about 0.50–0.75 of its width. Sulcus is wide, shallow, and slightly oblique. Plate 1′ is ortho‐type, and intercalary 2a and 3a plates are pentagonal. Plate 1a is quadrangular, having approximately one third the area of plate 3a. Additionally, the new combination Protoperidinium curvicorne (Böhm) comb. nov. is proposed. It is a large cell‐sized species with a round, broad body, and strong dorsoventral compression. Its epitheca narrows abruptly into a slender apical horn strongly tilted towards the ventral side. The cingulum is narrow, shallow, descending by about 1.5–2.0 cingular widths, and strongly inclined relative to the equatorial plane of the cell. The plate 1′ is ortho‐type, and 2a and 3a are pentagonal. Specimens from the type locality of the taxon were examined. Both species are provided with detailed descriptions and are illustrated with line drawings, as well as with light microscopy images and SEM micrographs. An in‐depth discussion and comparison with similar species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scabies is a neglected tropical disease and represents a considerable global burden. Although consensus diagnostic criteria for scabies have been recently published, diagnosing scabies infestation remains challenging in clinical practice. We investigated the diagnostic utility of complete blood cell count (CBC) and CBC-derived ratios obtained at diagnosis in a set of 167 patients who are Vietnamese with confirmed scabies. These parameters were compared with those of patients with dermatophytosis (N = 800) and urticaria (N = 2023), two diseases frequent in Vietnam, which can present with similar skin manifestations to scabies and tend to pose a diagnostic challenge in vulnerable populations. Our analysis revealed that white blood cell, monocyte, and eosinophil counts were significantly higher among patients with scabies than the other two diseases. Similarly, the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (ELR) were significantly higher among patients with scabies. The optimal cut-off values to distinguish scabies from dermatophytosis and urticaria were 0.094 for ELR (sensitivity: 74.85%, specificity: 70.7%) and 0.295 for MLR (sensitivity: 52.69%, specificity: 73.54%). CBC, ELR, and MLR are low-cost and easily calculated parameters that may be helpful for the diagnosis of scabies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the effect of CEO characteristics on bank stability of commercial banks in Vietnam. The study used regression models Pooled OLS, Fixed effects Model (FEM), random effects model (REM), and Feasible Generalized Least Square (FGLS) to evaluate the relationship between CEO characteristics and bank stability of 26 commercial banks in Vietnam. To deal with the limitations of traditional regression methods, we propose Bayesian regression method. The data collection period in the study is from 2013 to 2022. In these regression models, CEO power, female CEO, CEO tenure, and CEO age are independent variables. The dependent variable representing bank stability is the Z‐score. The research results show that the factors CEO power, female CEO, CEO tenure, CEO age have a positive impact on bank stability in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose:Staphylococcus aureus is a commensal bacteria species that can cause various illnesses, from mild skin infections to severe diseases, such as bacteremia. The distribution and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pattern of S. aureus varies by population, time, geographic location, and hospital wards. In this study, we elucidated the epidemiology and AMR patterns of S. aureus isolated from a general hospital in Vietnam.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Data on all S. aureus infections from 2014 to 2021 were collected from the Microbiology department of Military Hospital 103, Vietnam. Only the first isolation from each kind of specimen from a particular patient was analyzed using the Cochran–Armitage and chi-square tests.Results: A total of 1130 individuals were diagnosed as S. aureus infection. Among them, 1087 strains were tested for AMR features. Most patients with S. aureus infection were in the age group of 41– 65 years (39.82%). S. aureus isolates were predominant in the surgery wards, and pus specimens were the most common source of isolates (50.62%). S. aureus was most resistant to azithromycin (82.28%), erythromycin (82.82%), and clindamycin (82.32%) and least resistant to teicoplanin (0.0%), tigecycline (0.16%), quinupristin-dalfopristin (0.43%), linezolid (0.62%), and vancomycin (2.92%). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. aureus were prevalent, accounting for 73.02% and 60.90% of the total strains respectively, and the strains isolated from the intensive care unit (ICU) had the highest percentage of multidrug resistance (77.78%) among the wards.Conclusion: These findings highlight the urgent need for continuous AMR surveillance and updated treatment guidelines, particularly considering high resistance in MRSA, MDR strains, and ICU isolates. Future research focusing on specific resistant populations and potential intervention strategies is crucial to combat this rising threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oyster shells are one of the most abundant seafood wastes in Vietnam which have not been deposed efficiently, causing many negative effects on the ecosystem and the quality of human life. In this study, the recycling of waste oyster shells was investigated to provide a calcium carbonate-rich material for improving and stabilizing the pH value of acidified water. Characterization of the recycled shells using various techniques proved that the thermal treatments at temperatures from 120 to 220 °C led to no significant changes in the chemical composition and calcite-based layer structure of oyster shells. Testing the performance of the recycled oyster shells in the adjustment of the aqueous pH value was conducted in a solution containing NH4Cl (0.5 g/L) as a simulation of the acidified aquaculture phase. As expected, using 1 g of the 220 °C -calcinated oyster shell for 2 L of the simulated solution, the solution pH rapidly increased from 6.3 to 7.7 in the first 2 h, reached the extreme value (~ 7.8) after 24 h and slowly decreased to the stabilized pH range of ~ 7.2 after 5-6 d. It was proved out that the oyster shell amount significantly affected the solution pH value. Importantly, the elemental analysis showed that the content of toxic transition metals including Cd, Pb, As, and Cr in the oyster shell was below the detection limit of each other, implying great potential for the application in the real aquaculture environment in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares the critical reading proficiency of engineering students from two private institutions in Malaysia and Vietnam. It examines the degree to which PISAbased critical reading test scores of first- and final-year students vary. 182 engineering students, including 86 Malaysian and 96 Vietnamese undergraduates, were involved in this project. Descriptive and quantitative analyses were performed on the data. According to the findings, most students at two universities exhibited moderate critical reading skills. Moreover, the study's outcomes revealed no substantial disparities between the critical reading levels of the final year Malaysian and Vietnamese students. By contrast, the performance of first-year students at two universities varied significantly on some test items. Some considerations regarding the selection of Western-based texts and the use of open-ended questions in the PISA reading test that might cause difficulties for Eastern students are also demonstrated in this study. This study compares the critical reading proficiency of engineering students from two private institutions in Malaysia and Vietnam. It examines the degree to which PISAbased critical reading test scores of first- and final-year students vary. 182 engineering students, including 86 Malaysian and 96 Vietnamese undergraduates, were involved in this project. Descriptive and quantitative analyses were performed on the data. According to the findings, most students at two universities exhibited moderate critical reading skills. Moreover, the study's outcomes revealed no substantial disparities between the critical reading levels of the final year Malaysian and Vietnamese students. By contrast, the performance of first-year students at two universities varied significantly on some test items. Some considerations regarding the selection of Western-based texts and the use of open-ended questions in the PISA reading test that might cause difficulties for Eastern students are also demonstrated in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting isolation measures created an increase in the usage of smart devices and internet among adolescents. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of internet addiction, the prevalence of high level of anxiety as well as to examine factors associated with the high level of anxiety among adolescents in Hanoi, Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Data was collected using respondent-driven sampling and Google online survey forms from a sample of 5,325 school students aged 11–17 in Hanoi between October and December 2021. A short scale consisting of 5 items was used to measure internet addiction and the GAD-7 was used to measure adolescent anxiety level. Results: The findings revealed that 22.8% and 7.32% of adolescents experienced moderate and severe anxiety. About 32.7% of the study sample exhibited at least three internet addiction indicators. Logistic regression analysis identified significant predictors for high levels of adolescent anxiety. Being female, family experiencing economic difficulties, and exposure to domestic violence were associated with higher risk of anxiety disorder (OR 1.78, 1.45, and 2.89, respectively). Both average daily online time and internet addiction demonstrated gradient association with high level of anxiety. Conclusion: The prevalence of internet addiction and high level of anxiety were high among adolescents in Hanoi, Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study highlights the importance of implementing measures at the family and school levels to promote a balanced and healthy approach to smart device use among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper examined the impact of perceived service quality (PSQ) and patient complaint (PC) on patient satisfaction (PS). The study was carried out at the highest-level hospital, Vietnam. The self-administered questionnaire was distributed to inpatients who were used in health service in April 2018. The SPSS (version 25.0) statistical software was used for the data analysis. The confirmatory factor analysis was performed for the structural equation modeling, using the Amos 25.0 program. Findings suggest PSQ direct influence on PC and PS; PC influences PS. Complaints handling should consider when improving service quality to increase satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern education may be perceived by Western-oriented educators as something quite different from the latters' "advanced" and "developed" way of educating. Cultural difference in pedagogical practice may be experienced by Western English language educators not as difference but as deficit. Eastern teachers of EFL are sometimes judged to be using "backward" teaching and learning methodologies compared with the "advanced" and widely-used Western methods, such as "Communicative Language Teaching" (CLT). This paper explores two Vietnamese teachers' accounts of their own teaching experiences of EFL in Vietnam. These teachers, at least, do not conform to the above cultural stereotype. Like effective English language educators in the West, these teachers use a variety of pedagogical approaches which take account of the cultural context of the classroom.

There are legal requirements for a bank to be officially listed on the Vietnam stock exchange; hence by the end of 2020, Vietnam's banking industry had 43% of banks officially listed on the stock exchange and 57% of banks not officially listed. Accordingly, the difference between these two groups of banks is clear. This study aims to find empirical evidence for a one-way relationship between corporate social responsibility expenditure (CSRE) and the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks. In addition, the study also looks for the influence of each component of CSRE, including Community, Government, and Employee Responsibility, on the financial performance of listed and unlisted banks. Using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) controlling for heteroscedasticity, serial correlation, and endogeneity effects, the research results of the study show that CSRE as a cost reduces the bank's financial efficiency; however, social responsibility spending with the community is a positive factor that increases the bank's financial efficiency through creating an image and good impression with society and customers. Especially significantly stronger for commercial banks that have been officially listed on the stock exchange. Research results show the need to strengthen CSR implementation in the banking industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of authentic materials in the classroom has been debated, with the student benefiting from proximity to the original language and context. Actual materials are not only very motivating and provide a sense of accomplishment upon comprehension, but they also encourage further reading. Students face a number of hurdles when working with authentic literary English texts, despite their many benefits. This paper sought to explore how students perceive the usage of real resources in reading classrooms. The data was acquired through the use of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The majority of students, according to the findings, prefer using actual resources. They believed that access to authentic resources for reading activities would enhance their vocabulary, understanding of reading texts, scanning and skimming skills, and ability to interpret explicit and implicit information. In addition, the use of more authentic materials in reading sessions expanded their social awareness, particularly of the cultures of English-speaking nations. It was revealed that internet materials, photographs, and posters were the most prevalent types of authentic materials used in student reading sessions. Poems, novels, and short stories were the least popular and should be used for additional reading assignments or projects at home. Some recommendations for future research were also proposed in this current study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the twenty-first century, with the evolution of technologies, teaching and learning practices, especially in second language acquisition, have taken a significant leap. Numerous applications and software have been created to facilitate and boost learners' L2 vocabulary. The goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness of Quizlet in enhancing lexical retention of EFL students at a private institution in Vietnam in two learning modes: at home and in class. Eighty-nine university students participated in the study and were separated into three groups. While the in-class group (n = 31) had weekly sessions of vocabulary revision in class with their teacher, the at-home group (n = 30) did the weekly reviews on Quizlet at home by themselves. The control group (n = 28), however, did not utilize Quizlet for vocabulary review either in class or at home. During four weeks, the three groups learned and practiced 32 target words, divided into four sets (1 set = 8 items), with each set utilized in one week. Via a quasi-experimental design including a pretest and a posttest, the quantitative data were analyzed with the employment of the Generalized Linear Mixed Model to generate reliable outcomes. Semistructured interviews were conducted after the posttest to gain insights into learners' opinions on Quizlet use. The results indicated that Quizlet was effective in boosting lexical gains in second language acquisition and that most participants were interested in interacting with this tool for reviewing vocabulary. However, there was no statistically significant difference in lexical gains between the at-home and in-class groups. Pedagogical implications, as well as recommendations for future research, were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Female sex workers (FSWs) are at high risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical cancer due to their high number of sexual partners. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of HPV and identify risk factors for high-risk HPV infection among FSWs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Viet Nam. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hanoi and HCMC between December 2017 and May 2018. We surveyed and screened 699 FSWs aged ≥18 years for HPV infection and abnormal cytology. A multivariable modified Cox regression model was used to determine risk factors for high-risk HPV infection. Results: The overall prevalence of any HPV, high-risk HPV and HPV-16/18 infection in the 699 FSWs was 26.3%, 17.6% and 4.0%, respectively, and were similar in both cities. Multiple infections were identified in 127 participants (69.0%). HPV-52 was the most prevalent (7%), followed by HPV-58 (6%). Abnormal cytology was detected in 91 participants (13.0%). FSWs who are divorced (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01--3.81), widowed (aPR: 3.26, 95% CI: 1.49--7.12) or living alone (aPR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.01--3.39) were associated with a higher prevalence of high-risk HPV infection. Discussion: Almost one in five FSWs in Viet Nam are infected with high-risk HPV. This highlights the importance of prevention strategies such as HPV vaccination and screening in this high-risk group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy among women in Vietnam, but the country is yet to introduce a national human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine programme targeted at adolescents. We determined HPV prevalence and HPV vaccine knowledge among female university students in Vietnam. Patients and Methods: We surveyed and screened 1,491 female university students in Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City for their sexual behaviours, HPV knowledge and low- and high-risk HPV infection. Results: The prevalence of any HPV infection and any high-risk HPV infection were 4.2% (95%CI=3.3%- 5.4%) and 3.4% (95%CI=2.5%-4.4%), respectively. Being sexually active [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 6.22; 95%CI=3.4-11.37] and having ever been pregnant (aPR: 4.82; 95%CI=1.93-12.04) were positively associated with high-risk HPV infection. Whilst 60% of participants had heard of HPV vaccine, only 4.6% had received the vaccine. Conclusion: The low HPV prevalence found in university students in Vietnam indicates that they can benefit from HPV vaccination, along with a well-designed HPV health promotion programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poverty reduction has become a top goal in the socio-economic development strategies of countries and a topic of interest for researchers. A number of prior empirical studies have identified the importance of financial inclusion to poverty reduction. However, most of these studies assess the effect of financial inclusion on income poverty reduction. There are relatively few studies evaluating the impact of financial inclusion, especially in terms of household use of financial products and services, on multidimensional poverty reduction. This study uses a multivariate probit model with a dataset from Vietnam to estimate the effect of financial inclusion in terms of household use of financial products and services and other factors on multidimensional poverty. The results show that financial inclusion reduces multidimensional poverty. Specifically, households owning bank accounts, having savings at banks, using debit cards, credit cards, or investing in stocks or bonds are less likely to fall into multidimensional poverty. Based on the findings, we provide several recommendations for policymakers to increase the level of households' use of financial products and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to provide empirical evidence for a one-way relationship between corporate environmental responsibility (CER) and financial performance (FP) in the banking industry, with special consideration into the moderating role of legal regulations and ownership structures. Net interest margin (NIM), return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) are selected to measure FP while the content analysis method is adopted to examine CER. The study used regression analysis with the two-step system generalised method of moments (Sys-GMM) on a sample of 29 Vietnamese commercial banks from 2012 to 2019, and the positive impacts of CER on banks' FP were identified. Analysis of these data revealed that listed banks have a higher level of information disclosure than unlisted banks, but the positive relationship between CER and FP is weaker in listed banks. Similarly, while state-owned banks have a higher degree of disclosure than privately-controlled banks, the relationship between their CER and FP is weaker. The paper also provides some recommendations and suggests future research implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate whether phase-changing material can be used for therapeutic hypothermia of asphyxiated newborns in low-resource settings.Methods: Prospective interventional study of asphyxiated term infants fulfilling criteria for hypothermia treatment at Vietnam National Children's Hospital from September 2014 to September 2016. Hypothermia was induced within 6 hours after birth and maintained for 72 hours by a phase-changing material mattress with melting point of 32°C. Rectal temperature was continuously measured, and deviations from target temperature range 33.5-34.5°C were recorded.Results: In total 52 infants (mean gestational age 39.3 ± 1.1 weeks) included and cooled, the median temperature at initiation of cooling was 35.3 (IQR 34.5-35.9)°C. The median time to reach target temperature was 2.5 (IQR 2-3) hours. The mean temperature during the cooling phase was 33.95 ± 0.2°C. Throughout the cooling phase, the target temperature range (33.5-34.5°C) was maintained more than 80% of the time. Rate of rewarming was 0.5 ± 0.14°C/hour.Conclusion: Phase-changing material can be used as an effective cooling method. Though not a servo-controlled system, it is easy to induce hypothermia, maintain target temperature and rewarm infants in a slow and controlled manner without need for frequent changes and minimum risk of skin injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cross-Cultural Exploration: The study delves into the perceptions of critical thinking skills among Malaysian and Vietnamese undergraduate students, offering a unique cross-cultural perspective. • Diverse Participants: In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 participants, including first-year and final-year undergraduates, presenting a wide spectrum of high-order thinking skills. • Phenomenographic Approach: Employing the phenomenographic approach, the research uncovers three fundamental conceptions of critical thinking skills, nested within three overarching domains: cognitive, dispositional, and spoken discourse. • Cognitive Dimensions: Within the cognitive domain, the study reveals two distinct approaches: the idealistic and the realistic. These approaches emphasize the theoretical and practical dimensions of critical thinking, offering insights into students' ability to analyze complex concepts and solve intricate problems. • Dispositional Insights: The dispositional domain uncovers the dichotomy of collectivist and individualist perspectives. It highlights how students approach critical thinking within group dynamics and as independent thinkers, shedding light on their motivations and attitudes. • Spoken Discourse: In the spoken discourse domain, two distinct approaches emerge: the product-oriented and the process-oriented. These approaches emphasize the tangible outcomes and cognitive processes of critical thinking, respectively. • Tailoring Pedagogy: The study's findings underscore the importance of customizing pedagogical instruction to accommodate the diverse perspectives and methodologies employed by students in their approach to critical thinking skills. Educators are encouraged to adapt their teaching strategies to align with students' multifaceted modes of critical thinking across various academic levels. This research endeavors to delve into the nuanced perceptions of critical thinking skills held by undergraduate students in Malaysia and Vietnam. The study employs a robust research methodology, involving in-depth interviews with a cohort of 16 participants, drawn from both first-year and final-year undergraduates. Through the rigorous application of the phenomenographic approach, the investigation uncovers three fundamental conceptions of critical thinking skills, categorized within three overarching domains: cognitive, dispositional, and spoken discourse. Within the cognitive domain, two distinctive approaches surface: the idealistic and the realistic. The idealistic perspective underscores the theoretical and aspirational dimensions of critical thinking, spotlighting students' capacity to dissect intricate concepts, establish interconnections between seemingly disparate ideas, and generate innovative solutions to multifaceted problems. Conversely, the realistic approach recognizes the evolution of critical thinking skills over time, emphasizing deliberate practice and reflection on real-world challenges and experiences. The dispositional domain illuminates the dichotomy between collectivist and individualist perspectives, unveiling the diverse manners in which students engage with critical thinking within the framework of group dynamics or as autonomous thinkers. In the spoken discourse domain, two discernible approaches emerge: the product-oriented and the process-oriented. The product-oriented stance accentuates tangible outcomes of critical thinking, such as persuasive arguments, articulate and coherent written expression, and adept problem-solving. In contrast, the process-oriented approach underscores the intricate cognitive and metacognitive processes intrinsic to critical thinking, encompassing activities like information analysis, evaluation, idea integration, and the cultivation of innovative insights. This study's findings underscore the necessity of customizing pedagogical instruction to harmonize with the diverse perspectives and methodologies embraced by students in their approach to critical thinking skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive profiling of actionable mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is vital to guide targeted therapy, thereby improving the survival rate of patients. Despite the high incidence and mortality rate of NSCLC in Vietnam, the actionable mutation profiles of Vietnamese patients have not been thoroughly examined. Here, we employed massively parallel sequencing to identify alterations in major driver genes (EGFR, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, ALK and ROS1) in 350 Vietnamese NSCLC patients. We showed that the Vietnamese NSCLC patients exhibited mutations most frequently in EGFR (35.4%) and KRAS (22.6%), followed by ALK (6.6%), ROS1 (3.1%), BRAF (2.3%) and NRAS (0.6%). Interestingly, the cohort of Vietnamese patients with advanced adenocarcinoma had higher prevalence of EGFR mutations than the Caucasian MSK-IMPACT cohort. Compared to the East Asian cohort, it had lower EGFR but higher KRAS mutation prevalence. We found that KRAS mutations were more commonly detected in male patients while EGFR mutations was more frequently found in female. Moreover, younger patients (<61 years) had higher genetic rearrangements in ALK or ROS1. In conclusions, our study revealed mutation profiles of 6 driver genes in the largest cohort of NSCLC patients in Vietnam to date, highlighting significant differences in mutation prevalence to other cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we characterized the first clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae strain co- harboring mcr-1 and blaNDM-4 genes in Vietnam, which was recovered from a patient admitted to hospital in 2015. This strain demonstrated nonsusceptible to all tested antibiotics, including last-line antibiotics such as carbapenems (MICs ≥128 μg/mL) and colistin (MIC =32 μg/mL), except tigecycline (MIC =1 μg/mL). Whole-genome analysis using both MinION and MiSeq data revealed that the strain carried 29 resistance genes. Particularly, mcr-1 and blaNDM-4 genes were carried by different self-conjugative plasmids and able to be transferred to a recipient by conjugation. The colistin resistance of this strain was conferred by mcr-1 and additional chromosomal resistance determinants. Eight amino acid substitutions found in PmrA, PmrB, PmrC, PmrI, and PmrJ, all proteins that are involved in lipopolysaccharide modifications, may be associated with chromosomal colistin resistance. The accumulation of multiple antibiotic resistance mechanisms in this clinical isolate raises alarm on potential spread of extensively drug-resistant K. pneumoniae in healthcare settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As healthcare costs continue to rise, healthcare consumers expect service quality to improve. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Total Quality Management by a healthcare facility on perceived service quality and patient satisfaction. A self-completion questionnaire was submitted to inpatients who were treated in April 2018 at a tertiary-level hospital in Vietnam. There were 516 respondents. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) ver. 25.0 and Amos ver. 25.0 programmes were used for frequency and descriptive statistical analysis, and structural equation modelling, respectively. Total Quality Management had a significant effect on perceived service quality and patient satisfaction; perceived service quality had a positive influence on patient satisfaction. We used Total Quality Management and perceived service quality to develop a model showing that both factors directly influenced patient satisfaction. The work has significant implications for healthcare organizations; they may wish to consider these factors when engaging in strategic planning aimed at improving customer satisfaction. Those responsible for ensuring service quality should consider these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The dissemination of colistin-resistant bacteria harboring the colistin-resistance gene mcr-1 in developing countries has recently entered the spotlight as an emerging public health threat, which is attributed to the abuse of colistin use in these countries. However, the prevalence of these bacteria in developing countries has not been extensively investigated. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the prevalence of cefotaxime-resistant commensal Escherichia coli harboring mcr-1 among residents of a representative Vietnamese village and assessed the characteristics of these isolates. Materials and methods: The stool samples, one stool sample per resident, of 612 residents were cultured on MacConkey agar with cefotaxime. Resulting E. coli-like colonies were isolated and examined further for the presence of colistin-resistant extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli with mcr-1. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed, and clonal relationship among colistin-resistant isolates was assessed. Results: Thirty-one of the 451 cefotaxime-resistant E. coli isolates were resistant to colistin and the majority possessed mcr-1, blaCTX-M, and/or blaTEM, except for two isolates that produced the AmpC β-lactamase. All mcr-1 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were multidrug-resistant (5–11 antibiotics). The isolates contained various plasmid replicon types, including the most prevalent types IncHI2 (54.8%), IncFIB (48.4%), and IncN (41.9%). In addition, 83.9% of the mcr-1 ESBL-E. coli isolates possessed a transposon ISApl1-mcr-1 segment. Furthermore, 77.4% of the mcr-1 ESBL-E. coli isolates belonged to phylogenetic group A. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis indicated limited clonal expansion of a specific strain. Conclusion: These results demonstrate the wide dissemination of colistin-resistant ESBL-E. coli harboring mcr-1 among commensal bacteria of rural residents in Vietnam, suggesting possible mobilization of the mcr-1 gene among ESBL-producing microbiota, which is a great public health concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many cross-sectional studies have examined bullying experiences and correlated factors among adolescents in schools, relatively little is known about the extent to which bullying roles are stable or fluid over time. This short-term quantitative longitudinal study in Vietnam examined temporal patterns and predictors of bullying roles over an academic year. A total of 1424 middle and high school students aged 12-17 years completed two anonymous, self-administered questionnaires six months apart in 2014 and 2015. Young people were classified into different bullying roles as follow: not-involved (38.9%), victims only (24%), bullies only (6.6%), and bully-victims (40.4%) across the two times. About 60% of all surveyed students experienced bullying either as victim, bully, or bully-victim during the year. Of these students, nearly three in four indicated unstable bullying roles over time. Multivariate multinomial logistic regressions indicated factors ranging from individual (age, gender, and mental health) to family (social support, parental supervision and monitoring, witnessing parental violence, and conflict with siblings), school (perceived social support, teachers' attempt to stop bullying at school), and peers (social support, students' attempt to stop bullying at school) have significant associations with levels of bullying involvement. Implications for bullying prevention programs nationally and internationally are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Please cite this paper as: Ngo et al. (2012) Isolation of novel triple-reassortant swine H3N2 influenza viruses possessing the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes of a seasonal influenza virus in Vietnam in 2010. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(1), 6-10. Surveillance of swine influenza viruses (SIVs) in 31 pig farms in northern and southern parts of Vietnam was conducted. Six H3N2 influenza A viruses were isolated from a pig farm in southern Vietnam. They were novel genetic reassortants between a triple-reassortant SIV and a human seasonal H3N2 virus. Their hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes were derived from a human virus circulating around 2004-2006 and the remaining genes from a triple-reassortant SIV that originated in North America. This is the first report describing the isolation of a novel triple-reassortant SIV in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern education may be perceived by Western-oriented educators as something quite different from the latter? 'advanced' and 'developed' way of educating. Cultural difference in pedagogical practice may be experienced by Western English language educators not as difference but as deficit. Eastern teachers of EFL are sometimes judged to be using 'backward' teaching and learning methodologies compared with the 'advanced' and widely-used Western methods, such as 'Communicative Language Teaching' (CLT). This paper explores two Vietnamese teachers' accounts of their own teaching experiences of EFL in Vietnam. These teachers, at least, do not conform to the above cultural stereotype. Like effective English language educators in the West, these teachers use a variety of pedagogical approaches which take account of the cultural context of the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents its author's view on the study papers by C. Sowden and D. Liu on overseas students and plagiarism that was published in the ELT Journal. Sowden's efforts in exploring plagiarism in relation to culture and his arguing against stereotypical views of overseas students studying in English-speaking countries is commendable. But the author argues that culture is not the only influencing factor and should not be seen as solely responsible for plagiarism in students' academic work. He presents examples on how plagiarism is viewed in Vietnam and argues that there seems to be several reasons why Western academics may rush to accuse overseas students of plagiarism. Sowden suggests that Asian culture contributes to the act of plagiarism, but the author says that plagiarism is never allowed or made legitimate by Vietnamese culture or education. Memorizing model essays or famous ideas may be common in Vietnam, but this is not at all for plagiarism purposes. Many academics in the West wrongly believes that overseas students always have academic problems.

Background: The significant psychosocial harms from bullying among adolescents create major challenges for mental health promotion programs and services in schools. While the negative consequences of bullying victimisation are well known, to date there is scarce empirical analysis of inverse associations, in which mental health problems make children more vulnerable to bullying victimisation and perpetration. Based on a short-term longitudinal study among adolescents in Vietnam, this study examined reciprocal associations between children's depressive symptoms, psychological distress, suicidal ideation and bullying victimisation experiences (i.e., victims or bully-victims). Methods: Secondary and high school students (n = 1167; age range: 11–16 years old; 55% female) in urban areas in northern Vietnam completed two self-administered questionnaires, 6-months apart in the academic year 2014–2015. Measures estimated bullying victimisation and perpetration in the past 6 months, depressive symptoms, psychological distress, and suicidal ideation. A cross-lagged analysis was performed to test the reciprocal associations. Results: About one-third of students in the sample were involved as victims, bullies or bully-victims at both times, with more males than females reporting these experiences. Females reported a higher level of depressive symptoms than males at Time 1 but not at Time 2. After adjusting for outcome variables and other covariates measured at Time 1, nine of 12 cross-lagged associations across three models were statistically significant, with different patterns for females and males. There were reciprocal associations between bullying victimisation and mental health problems. Bullying victimisation was shown as an independent predictor of subsequent mental health problems; in turn, mental health problems preceded students' experience of becoming victims or bully-victims. Females with mental health problems were more likely to be victims; whereas similarly distressed males were vulnerable to both being bullied and being perpetrators. Conclusion: This study is the first of its kind in Vietnam and in the Southeast Asian region to examine reciprocal associations between bullying victimisation and mental health problems among adolescents. Anti-bullying intervention and prevention programs and school-based mental health promotion programs should be integrated and be sensitive to gender differences in order to maximise their impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study discusses electricity market development in Vietnam, focusing on key achievements and future possibilities. The empirical analysis involves the construction of ESSI, a composite indicator for the security of the electricity supply for Vietnam. Specifically, principal component analysis (PCA) is performed based on eight normalized variables representing four aspects of electricity security. ESSI trends for Vietnam and other ASEAN+6 countries are reviewed and compared during the 1996–2019 period. This research finds that, except for Brunei, the ESSIs of the ASEAN+6 have been on the rise. The findings are robust to different normalization techniques. Policy implications are then offered. • We discuss the process of electricity market development in Vietnam. • We construct ESSI, a composite indicator for the security of electricity supply. • Principal component analysis is performed based on eight normalized variables. • ESSI trends for Vietnam and ASEAN+6 during 1996–2019 are mostly on the rise. • The empirical findings are robust to different normalization techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• HPV infection in men having sex with men (MSM) was studied in two cities of Vietnam • Prevalence of any HPV and HPV16/18 among MSM was 32.3% and 11.0%, respectively • High-risk HPV infections in MSM were associated with risky sexual behaviours • A targeted HPV vaccination strategy would be beneficial for MSM in Vietnam Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers, while published data are scarce. This study determined HPV prevalence and risk factors in MSM in Vietnam to inform HPV prevention strategies in this key population. A cross-sectional study of 799 MSM aged 16-50 years was conducted in Vietnam in 2017-2018. Information was collected on risk behaviours, and knowledge of HPV and anal cancer; rectal swabs were taken to detect anal HPV infection. An in-house polymerase chain reaction and Genoflow HPV array test kit were used for HPV detection and genotyping. The median age of the study participants was 25 years (range 18-52). Overall prevalence of any HPV and HPV16/18 infection was 32.3% and 11.0%, respectively. A higher prevalence of high-risk HPV infection to all 14 types tested was found in Ho Chi Minh City (30.9%) than in Hanoi (18.4%). High-risk HPV infection was associated with inconsistent condom use and history of engaging in sex under the influence of drugs (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.27; 95% CI, 1.48-10.67), as well as having multiple sexual partners (aOR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00–1.02). High-risk anal HPV infections in Vietnamese MSM were significantly associated with risky sexual behaviours. A targeted HPV vaccination strategy would have substantial benefit for MSM in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study adds information about forecasting demand, procurement, storage, for rabies biologics in Vietnam, a canine rabies endemic country. Canine-mediated human rabies deaths typically occur in poor and rural populations with limited access to rabies biologics: vaccine and immunoglobulin. A critical aspect of reducing rabies deaths is understanding how these countries procure, deliver, and forecast rabies biologics. Vietnam is one of the few endemic countries where biologics is widely available. However, a formal evaluation of its current rabies biologics distribution system has not been conducted. In 2017, we conducted a formal evaluation of Vietnam's rabies biologics distribution system. Our goals were (1) to identify centers providing rabies biologics (2) identify costs to the patient and centers and (3) assess the rabies biologic procurement and delivery system at eligible district and provincial centers (provides and orders biologics for itself and other centers directly from the manufacture). To conduct the formal evaluation, we developed a standardized survey that was distributed to centers. Of the 780 designated rabies biologics centers in Vietnam, 659 (84%) of them provide rabies immunoglobulin (eRIG), vaccine, or both. Of the 177 eligible centers, 90% (160) responded to the survey. The average costs to patients were $8.45 (range: 5.43–12.77) for one dose of IM injection, $13.90 (range: 11.86–16.71) for domestic eRIG, and $23 (21.11–27.11) for imported eRIG. Respondents reported experiencing delays in receiving vaccine in 50 centers and eRIG in 14 centers within the past year. Respondents stated their top three challenges in providing biologics were: delays or shortages from manufactures, lack of funds to pay for biologics, and the high cost of biologics. Despite the wide availability of biologics in Vietnam, more work is needed to provide affordable and reliable supply of biologics to patients. This includes the expansion of ID injection use throughout the country to lower vaccine demand, and decrease the costs to centers and patients. Furthermore, a more coordinated effort to share biologics among centers, possibly through a more centralized system at the provincial level may alleviate delays and shortages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Less than 50% of patients completed their intramuscular vaccine regimen despite vaccine availability. • Low completion rates were observed among high-risk individuals and patients living in high rabies burden provinces. • Patients who received eRIG had lower odds of completing their vaccine regimen compared to those patients that did not. Adhering to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): wound treatment, vaccine, and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is a crucial step in preventing rabies mortality. When PEP is widely available, a lack of adherence to the recommended treatment guidelines can also lead to death. Our objective was to understand characteristics associated with adherence to the vaccine regimen and RIG in Vietnam. We obtained individual-level data on PEP adherence from registries at 10 sites located in five provinces. From these registries, we extracted epidemiologic characteristics of patients including the timing of PEP initiation and completion. We used descriptive analyses and logistic regression to examine patient characteristics associated with initiation and completion of RIG and vaccine. Based on reported rabies mortality, the government defined provincial rabies burden as medium-burden (<5 and >2 deaths) and high-burden (≥5 deaths). During 2014–2016, 15,646 patients received PEP in our study. Among 14,296 vaccinated patients, only 41.4% (5847) completed their five-dose intramuscular (IM) injections and 81.6% (133) of patients completed their eight-dose intradermal (ID) injections. Approximately 26% of patients received RIG. Patient characteristics associated with vaccine completion were females (44%), <15 years of age (44%), category 1 exposure (68%, bite location on leg (46%), bite from bat (56%), bite from a healthy animal (45%), high-burden province (86%), and district preventive center (49%). Disparities were revealed among provinces, with high-burden provinces having highest (86%) and lowest (7%) vaccine completion rates. Vietnam has made tremendous progress towards reducing the burden of rabies. However, despite the wide availability of PEP, we found relatively low rates of vaccine completion. Our findings suggest provider training and patient education is needed to ensure appropriate treatment is completed. Moreover, our data suggest changes to information reported through the national surveillance system for monitoring good clinical practice for rabies prevention and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of phase-change-material mattress (PCM) during transportation of newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)., Study Design: Randomized controlled trial of newborns with HIE from June 2016 to December 2019. Patients were randomized to transport with PCM or without PCM (control) when transferred to a cooling center in northern Vietnam. Primary outcome measure was mortality rate, secondary outcomes including temperature control and adverse effects., Result: Fifty-Two patients in PCM-group and 61 in control group. Median rectal temperature upon arrival was 34.5 °C (IQR 33.5-34.8) in PCM-group and 35.1 °C (IQR 34.5-35.9) in control group (p = 0.023). Median time from birth to reach target temperature was 5.0 ± 1.4 h and 5.5 ± 1.2 h in the respective groups (p = 0.065). 81% of those transported with PCM versus 62% of infants transported without (p = 0.049) had reached target temperature within the 6-h timeframe. There was no record of overcooling (< 32 °C) in any of the groups. The was no difference in mortality rate between the two groups (33% and 34% respectively (p > 0.05))., Conclusion: Phase-change-material can be used as a safe and effective cooling method during transportation of newborns with HIE in low-resource settings., Trial Registration: The study was retro-prospectively registered in Clinical Trials (04/05/2022, NCT05361473)., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: SEANUTS II Vietnam aims to obtain an in-depth understanding of the nutritional status and nutrient intake of children between 0·5 and 11·9 years old., Design: Cross-sectional survey., Setting: A multistage cluster systematic random sampling method was implemented in different regions in Vietnam: North Mountainous, Central Highlands, Red River Delta, North Central and Coastal Area, Southeast and Mekong River Delta., Participants: 4001 children between 6 months and 11·9 years of age., Results: The prevalence of stunting and underweight was higher in rural than in urban children, whereas overweight and obese rates were higher in urban areas. 12·0 % of the children had anaemia and especially children 0·5–1 year old were affected (38·6 %). Low serum retinol was found in 6·2 % of children ≥ 4 years old. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was 31·1 % while 60·8 % had low serum Zn. For nutrient intake, overall, 80·1 % of the children did not meet the estimated energy requirements. For Ca intake, ∼60 % of the younger children did not meet the RNI while it was 92·6 % in children >7 years old. For vitamin D intake, 95·0 % of the children did not meet recommended nutrient intakes., Conclusions: SEANUTS II Vietnam indicated that overnutrition was more prevalent than undernutrition in urban areas, while undernutrition was found more in rural areas. The high prevalence of low serum Zn, vitamin D insufficiency and the inadequate intakes of Ca and vitamin D are of concern. Nutrition strategies for Vietnamese children should consider three sides of malnutrition and focus on approaches for the prevention of malnutrition.

Aim: To determine neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months after therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) infants in Vietnam, a low-middle-income country., Method: Prospective cohort study investigating outcomes at 18 months in severely asphyxiated outborn infants who underwent therapeutic hypothermia for HIE in Hanoi, Vietnam, during the time period 2016-2019. Survivors were examined at discharge and at 6 and 18 months by a neonatologist, a neurologist and a rehabilitation physician, who were blinded to the infants' clinical severity during hospitalisation using two assessment tools: the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE), to detect impairments and promote early interventions for those who require it., Results: In total, 130 neonates, 85 (65%) with moderate and 45 (35%) with severe HIE, underwent therapeutic hypothermia treatment using phase change material. Forty-three infants (33%) died during hospitalisation and in infancy. Among the 87 survivors, 69 (79%) completed follow-up until 18 months. Nineteen children developed cerebral palsy (8 diplegia, 3 hemiplegia, 8 dyskinetic), and 11 had delayed neurodevelopment. At each time point, infants with a normal or delayed neurodevelopment had significantly higher ASQ and HINE scores (p<0.05) than those with cerebral palsy., Conclusion: The rates of mortality and adverse neurodevelopment rate were high and comparable to recently published data from other low-middle-income settings. The ASQ and HINE were useful tools for screening and evaluation of neurodevelopment and neurological function., Competing Interests: Competing interests: No, there are no competing interests., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Mental health care for students in general, particularly anxiety, is a significant problem that needs more attention, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of anxiety and examine the associated factors among students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to September 2021 among 5730 students. An online survey was used to collect sociodemographic information, and the generalized anxiety disorder questionnaire (GAD-7) was used to assess anxiety symptoms among Vietnamese students. Results showed that the prevalence of anxiety among study participants was 16.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.3%-17.2%). Factors related to anxiety among students were gender, type of housemate, COVID-19 exposure/infection status, vaccination status, health status, academic performance, and social relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant number of students experienced anxiety during COVID-19, and this rate was related to several factors. Psychological interventions are required to support students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and other health crises. Further studies are required to confirm our findings., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Air pollution is one of the most concerning environmental issues, wherein PM 2.5 concentration plays an important role. This study monitored and evaluated the PM 2.5 concentration trends in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam. Twenty 24-h PM 2.5 samples were continuously collected during the rainy (15 Oct. to 25 Oct. 2021) and dry (19 Mar. to 29 Mar. 2022) seasons. The PM 2.5 samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy to determine the surface pattern and size distributions were analyzed using ImageJ software. The water-soluble fractions of 15 trace metal(oid)s concentrations (Al, Cu, Ni, K, Ca, Co, Mn, Cr, As, Zn, Pb, Cd, Na, Fe, and Mg) bound to PM 2.5 were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The results showed that the 24-h fine fraction PM 2.5 concentrations were 24.1 ± 12.2 μg/m 3 and 63.0 ± 18.7 μg/m 3 in the rainy and dry seasons, respectively. The results indicate that the size distributions of the particles of 2.0-2.5 μm are minor, and the majority are ultrafine particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 1.0 μm. Overall, the mass concentration level of the water-soluble fraction of trace metal(oid)s in PM 2.5 in the rainy season was higher than that in the dry season. Among these, Ca, K, and Na were the most abundant earth crustal elements in PM 2.5 in the rainy and dry seasons, accounting for 85% and 41.2% of the total trace element concentrations, respectively. The major sources of PM 2.5 are local and regional sources of thermal power plants, industrial parks, and waterborne transportation (domestic rivers and marine). The activities undertaken to remove Agent Orange (e.g., soil excavation, transportation, and rotary kiln incinerators) at the Bien Hoa airbase area also cause increases in the PM 2.5 level in the atmosphere of Bien Hoa City., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play an important role in urban air pollution, both as primary pollutants and through their contribution to the formation of secondary pollutants, such as tropospheric ozone and secondary organic aerosols. In this study, more than 30 VOC species were continuously monitored in the two most populous cities in Vietnam, namely Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC, September-October 2018 and March 2019) and Hanoi (March 2019). In parallel with ambient VOC sampling, grab sampling was used to target the most prevalent regional-specific emission sources and estimate their emission factors (EFs). Emission ratios (ERs) obtained from ambient sampling were compared between Vietnamese cities and other cities across the globe. No significant differences were observed between HCMC and Hanoi, suggesting the presence of similar sources. Moreover, a good global agreement was obtained in the spatial comparison within a factor of 2, with greater ER for aromatics and pentanes obtained in the Vietnamese cities. The detailed analysis of sources included the evaluation of EF from passenger cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, 3-wheeled motorcycles, waste burning, and coal-burning emissions. Our comparisons between ambient and near-source concentration profiles show that road transport sources are the main contributors to VOC concentrations in Vietnamese cities. VOC emissions were calculated from measured EF and consumption data available in Hanoi and compared with those estimated by a global emission inventory (EDGAR v4.3.2). The total VOC emissions from the road transport sector estimated by the inventory do not agree with those calculated from our observations which showed higher total emissions by a factor of 3. Furthermore, the inventory misrepresented the VOCs speciation, mainly for isoprene, monoterpenes, aromatics, and oxygenated compounds. Accounting for these differences in regional air quality models would lead to improved predictions of their impacts and help to prioritise pollution reduction strategies in the region., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Female sex workers (FSWs) are at high risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical cancer due to their high number of sexual partners. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of HPV and identify risk factors for high-risk HPV infection among FSWs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Viet Nam., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hanoi and HCMC between December 2017 and May 2018. We surveyed and screened 699 FSWs aged 3 18 years for HPV infection and abnormal cytology. A multivariable modified Cox regression model was used to determine risk factors for high-risk HPV infection., Results: The overall prevalence of any HPV, high-risk HPV and HPV-16/18 infection in the 699 FSWs was 26.3%, 17.6% and 4.0%, respectively, and were similar in both cities. Multiple infections were identified in 127 participants (69.0%). HPV-52 was the most prevalent (7%), followed by HPV-58 (6%). Abnormal cytology was detected in 91 participants (13.0%). FSWs who are divorced (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-3.81), widowed (aPR: 3.26, 95% CI: 1.49-7.12) or living alone (aPR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.01-3.39) were associated with a higher prevalence of high-risk HPV infection., Discussion: Almost one in five FSWs in Viet Nam are infected with high-risk HPV. This highlights the importance of prevention strategies such as HPV vaccination and screening in this high-risk group., Competing Interests: Suzanne M. Garland has received grants through her institution from Merck and has delivered lectures and received speaking fees from MSD for work performed in her personal time. All other authors report no conflicts of interest., ((c) 2022 The authors; licensee World Health Organization.)

Background/aim: Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy among women in Vietnam, but the country is yet to introduce a national human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine programme targeted at adolescents. We determined HPV prevalence and HPV vaccine knowledge among female university students in Vietnam., Patients and Methods: We surveyed and screened 1,491 female university students in Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City for their sexual behaviours, HPV knowledge and low- and high-risk HPV infection., Results: The prevalence of any HPV infection and any high-risk HPV infection were 4.2% (95%CI=3.3%-5.4%) and 3.4% (95%CI=2.5%-4.4%), respectively. Being sexually active [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 6.22; 95%CI=3.4-11.37] and having ever been pregnant (aPR: 4.82; 95%CI=1.93-12.04) were positively associated with high-risk HPV infection. Whilst 60% of participants had heard of HPV vaccine, only 4.6% had received the vaccine., Conclusion: The low HPV prevalence found in university students in Vietnam indicates that they can benefit from HPV vaccination, along with a well-designed HPV health promotion programme., (Copyright © 2022 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Aims: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Cerebrolysin and Cerebrolysin plus nootropics in the routine treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS)., Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of disability with unmet treatment needs lacking effective drug therapy. Multimodal drugs modulating stroke pathophysiology as Cerebrolysin constitute a good therapeutic option., Objective: In this study, we assessed the effects of Cerebrolysin and Cerebrolysin plus nootropics, in comparison with other nootropic drugs alone, on functional, neurological and cognitive recovery of patients with AIS in Vietnam., Methods: This non-interventional, controlled, open-label, prospective and multicenter study included 398 AIS patients (234 males) treated with Cerebrolysin (n=190; 20 i.v. infusions of 10 ml), other nootropics (comparator group; n=86), or a combination of both (n=122). The study primary endpoint was the modified Ranking Scale (mRS) score on day 90. Secondary endpoints included study-period change in NIHSS score; percentage of well-recovered (mRS 0-2) patients, the proportion of good NIHSS response (≥6 points) cases, and MoCA scores at day 90; and safety indicators., Results: Compared with other nootropics, both Cerebrolysin and combined therapy induced significant improvements (p<0.001) in: Functional recovery (mRS scores); percentage of well-recovered patients (Cerebrolysin: 81.6%; combination: 93.4%; comparator: 43.0%); neurological recovery (study- period NIHSS change); proportion of good NIHSS responders (Cerebrolysin: 77.5%; combination: 92.5%; comparator: 47.6%); and MoCA scores (Cerebrolysin: 23.3±4.8; combination: 23.7±4.1; comparator: 15.9±7.7). Compared to Cerebrolysin, combined therapy improved (p<0.01) mRS outcomes and NIHSS change, but not MoCA scores, in moderate-severe stroke (NIHSS>11) cases only. No drug-related adverse events were reported., Conclusion: Cerebrolysin alone or combined with other nootropics was effective and safe in routine AIS treatment, during both acute and recovery phases, which supports its use in daily clinical practice. Others: According to the results of this multicenter study, the importance of reducing differences in the treatment regimens of AIS in Vietnam should be further emphasized., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)