In January 2020, we identified two severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐infected patients in a familial cluster with one person coming from Wuhan, China. The complete genome ...sequences of two SARS‐CoV‐2 strains isolated from these patients were identical and 99.98% similar to strains isolated in Wuhan. This is genetically suggestive of human‐to‐human transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 and indicates Wuhan as the most plausible origin of the early outbreak in Vietnam. The younger patient had a mild upper respiratory illness and a brief viral shedding, whereas the elderly with multi‐morbidity had pneumonia, prolonged viral shedding, and residual lung damage. The evidence of nonsynonymous substitutions in the ORF1ab region of the viral sequence warrants further studies.
Highlights
Transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 is a global public health and clinical concern.
This report describes clinical features, virus isolation, and complete genome sequences from the first two SARS‐CoV‐2 infections in Vietnam.
Epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis suggested evidence of human‐to‐human transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2. Comparison of SARS‐CoV‐2 strains isolated from these two patients with those from Wuhan showed high similarities.
Nonsynonymous substitutions existed in the ORF1ab region of the viral sequence.
Compared with mild clinical and virological manifestations in the younger patient, the elderly suffered from pneumonia, prolonged viral shedding, and residual lung damage.
Background: We aimed to examine the impacts of digital healthy diet literacy (DDL) and healthy eating behaviors (HES) on fear of COVID-19, changes in mental health, and health-related quality of life ...(HRQoL) among front-line healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods: An online survey was conducted at 15 hospitals and health centers from 6–19 April 2020. Data of 2299 front-line HCWs were analyzed—including socio-demographics, symptoms like COVID-19, health literacy, eHealth literacy, DDL, HES, fear of COVID-19, changes in mental health, and HRQoL. Regression models were used to examine the associations. Results: HCWs with higher scores of DDL and HES had lower scores of FCoV-19S (regression coefficient, B, −0.04; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI, −0.07, −0.02; p = 0.001; and B, −0.10; 95% CI, −0.15, −0.06; p < 0.001); had a higher likelihood of stable or better mental health status (odds ratio, OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00, 1.05; p = 0.029; and OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00, 1.07; p = 0.043); and HRQoL (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01, 1.03; p = 0.006; and OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02, 1.06; p = 0.001), respectively. Conclusions: DDL and HES were found as independent predictors of fear of COVID−19, changes in mental health status, and HRQoL in front-line HCWs. Improving DDL and HES should be considered as a strategic approach for hospitals and healthcare systems.
Background: Comorbidity is common and causes poor stroke outcomes. We aimed to examine the modifying impacts of physical activity (PA) and diet quality on the association between comorbidity and ...disability in stroke patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 951 stable stroke patients in Vietnam from December 2019 to December 2020. The survey questionnaires were administered to assess patients’ characteristics, clinical parameters (e.g., Charlson Comorbidity Index items), health-related behaviors (e.g., PA using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire- short version), health literacy, diet quality (using the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Quality (DASH-Q) questionnaire), and disability (using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II)). Linear regression models were used to analyze the associations and interactions. Results: The proportion of comorbidity was 49.9% (475/951). The scores of DASH-Q and WHODAS II were 29.2 ± 11.8, 32.3 ± 13.5, respectively. Patients with comorbidity had a higher score of disability (regression coefficient, B, 8.24; 95% confidence interval, 95%CI, 6.66, 9.83; p < 0.001) as compared with those without comorbidity. Patients with comorbidity and higher tertiles of PA (B, −4.65 to −5.48; p < 0.05), and a higher DASH-Q score (B, −0.32; p < 0.001) had a lower disability score, as compared with those without comorbidity and the lowest tertile of PA, and the lowest score of DASH-Q, respectively. Conclusions: Physical activity and diet quality significantly modified the negative impact of comorbidity on disability in stroke patients. Strategic approaches are required to promote physical activity and healthy diet which further improve stroke rehabilitation outcomes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the significance of adopting healthy lifestyles to mitigate the risk of severe outcomes and long-term consequences.
This study focuses on assessing the ...prevalence and clustering of 5 unhealthy lifestyle behaviors among Vietnamese adults after recovering from COVID-19, with a specific emphasis on sex differences.
The cross-sectional data of 5890 survivors of COVID-19 in Vietnam were analyzed from December 2021 to October 2022. To examine the sex differences in 5 unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (smoking, drinking, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and sedentary behavior), the percentages were plotted along with their corresponding 95% CI for each behavior. Latent class analysis was used to identify 2 distinct classes of individuals based on the clustering of these behaviors: the "less unhealthy" group and the "more unhealthy" group. We examined the sociodemographic characteristics associated with each identified class and used logistic regression to investigate the factors related to the "more unhealthy" group.
The majority of individuals (male participants: 2432/2447, 99.4% and female participants: 3411/3443, 99.1%) exhibited at least 1 unhealthy behavior, with male participants being more susceptible to multiple unhealthy behaviors. The male-to-female ratio for having a single behavior was 1.003, but it escalated to 25 for individuals displaying all 5 behaviors. Male participants demonstrated a higher prevalence of combining alcohol intake with sedentary behavior (949/2447, 38.8%) or an unhealthy diet (861/2447, 35.2%), whereas female participants tended to exhibit physical inactivity combined with sedentary behavior (1305/3443, 37.9%) or an unhealthy diet (1260/3443, 36.6%). Married male participants had increased odds of falling into the "more unhealthy" group compared to their single counterparts (odds ratio OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.14-1.85), while female participants exhibited lower odds (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.51-0.83). Female participants who are underweight showed a higher likelihood of belonging to the "more unhealthy" group (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.89-1.39), but this was not observed among male participants (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.41-0.89). In both sexes, older age, dependent employment, high education, and obesity were associated with higher odds of being in the "more unhealthy" group.
The study identified notable sex differences in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors among survivors of COVID-19. Male survivors are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors compared to female survivors. These findings emphasize the importance of tailored public health interventions targeting sex-specific unhealthy behaviors. Specifically, addressing unhealthy habits is crucial for promoting post-COVID-19 health and well-being.
Article Note: Manh H. Dao and Hieu T. Nguyen contributed equally to this study and are joint first authors. CAPTION(S): Supplementary information. Byline: Guangxiang (George) Luo, Hinh Ly, Shou-Jiang ...Gao, Manh H. Dao, Hieu T. Nguyen, Thinh V. Nguyen, Anh H. Nguyen, Quang C. Luong, Nhung H. P. Vu, Hang T. T. Pham, Thao N. T. Nguyen, Dung H. Thach, Lo V. Nguyen, Luan V. Bui, Hang M. Nguyen, Loan K. T. Huynh, Long T. Nguyen, Thang M. Cao, Quang D. Pham, Thuong V. Nguyen, Lan T. Phan
Hypertension and oxidative stress are involved in the pathophysiological mechanism of stroke. We aimed to investigate the modification impact of the pro-oxidant-anti-oxidant balance (PAB) on the ...association between hypertension and stroke recurrence (SR).
A cross-sectional design was conducted from December 2019 to December 2020 in 951 stroke patients in six hospitals across Vietnam. Hypertension was defined using antihypertensive medication or systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg. PAB was estimated using weighting methods based on smoking, drinking, and overweight/obesity with pro-oxidant capacity, diet quality, fruit intake, vegetable intake, and physical activity with antioxidant capacity. The higher PAB scores indicated a beneficial balance shifting toward antioxidant dominance. SR was diagnosed by neurologists. Moreover, sociodemographic and health conditions were included as covariates. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to explore the associations and interactions.
The hypertension and SR proportions were 72.8% and 17.5%, respectively. hypertension was associated with an increased SR likelihood (odds ratio (OR) = 1.93;
= 0.004), whereas a higher PAB score was associated with a lowered SR likelihood (OR = 0.87;
= 0.003). Moreover, hypertension interacting with every one-point increment of PAB was associated with a lowered SR likelihood (OR = 0.83;
= 0.022).
The harmful impact of hypertension on SR could be alleviated by PAB. The interplay of health behaviors should be highlighted in the intervention strategies for stroke prevention.
Abstract
Background
Since the introduction of fee-for-service models in public hospitals and the legalization of private health services in Vietnam in 1989, the price of reproductive health services ...has risen. These changes have exacerbated inequities in accessing reproductive health services. This study examines potential disparities in willingness to pay for reproductive health services among adults in a rural district of Hanoi.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted at 9 communes in Thanh Oai district, a rural district of Hanoi, Vietnam, in July 2019. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire to collect self-reported data. The contingent valuation was used to examine willingness to pay for reproductive health services with a starting price of 2 million VND (~ US$86.2, July 2019 exchange rate), which is the average price of all RHS in public facilities in Vietnam. Multiple Logistic regression and Multiple Interval regression models were used to identify factors associated with willingness to pay and the amount that people were willing to pay for reproductive health services.
Results
Among 883 participants, this study found 59.1% of them willing to pay for reproductive health services at an average maximum amount of US$36.2, significantly less than the current average price of US$86.2. Occupation, number of sex partners, perception towards the necessity of reproductive health services, and prior use of reproductive health services were found to significantly influence willingness to pay for reproductive health services, while age, income level, gender, occupation, perception towards the necessity of reproductive health services and prior use of reproductive health services were reportedly correlated with the amount participants were willing to pay for reproductive health services.
Conclusion
Lower willingness to pay for reproductive health services compared to the current prices (US$36.2 vs. US$86.2) is likely related to an overall low awareness of the necessity of reproductive health services, and future education campaigns should specifically target those from lower-income backgrounds. Financial subsidization should also be provided, especially for those from the low-income group, to ensure equitable access to reproductive health services. Given the heterogeneity of reproductive health services, further studies should examine the willingness to pay for each type of service independently.
This study aimed to determine the predictive value of cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) in combination with serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) and progesterone in the early detection of ...ectopic pregnancy (EP).
Between May 2019 and May 2020, the cross-sectional study recruited 42 cases of EP and 42 cases of IUP at the same gestational age who visited the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. EP was diagnosed based on surgical (laparoscopy) and postoperative pathology examination.
There were significant differences of mean level of β-hCG (2570 mUI/mL vs. 18357.7 mUI/mL), progesterone (10.79 ± 8.16 ng/ml vs. 27.42 ± 4.17 ng/ml) and CA-125 (26.90 ± 10.26 U/mL vs. 70.61 ± 20.89 U/mL) between the EP and the IUP groups (p < 0.001). In the prediction of early diagnosis of EP, the cut-off value of CA-125 at 30.94 U/mL has a sensitivity of 89.3% and a specificity of 87,9%; the cut-off value of β hCG at 2750mIU/ml has the sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 78,8%; the cut-off value of progesterone at 10.24 ng/mL has the sensitivity of 85.7%, specificity of 81.8%. A combination of CA-125, β hCG, and progesterone had a sensitivity of 92.8% and a specificity of 90.9% in early diagnosis of EP.
Serum CA-125 levels can be used independently or in combination with other markers in the early diagnosis of EP.
•Increased CA-125 can be attributed to the trophoblast's infiltration during placental development.•Currently, there is no consensus regarding the cut-off point and diagnostic value of CA-125 in early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.•Serum CA-125 levels can be used independently or in combination with other markers in the early diagnosis of EP.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and periodontal disease have bilateral associations. The effect of periodontal treatment on T2D patients who smoke is scarce. This study aimed to assess the effect of ...nonsurgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) in periodontitis smokers with T2D for a duration of 6 months of follow-up.
Forty moderate to severe periodontitis smokers with T2D were randomly distributed into two different treatment groups: the test group (NSPT including oral hygiene instructions, scaling and root planing; and 0.05% Chlorhexidine mouthrinse) and the control group (treatment including oral hygiene instructions, supragingival removal of plaque and calculus and 0.05% Chlorhexidine mouthrinse). Periodontal parameters including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal probing depth (PPD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were examined. Metabolic parameters, including fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up.
The test group significantly improved all periodontal parameters and reduced metabolic parameters and hs-CRP, whereas improvements in PI and GI were observed in the control group at 1, 3 and 6 months of follow-up. However, the PPD, CAL, metabolic parameters and hs-CRP increased in the control group at 3 and 6 months of follow-up, but the differences were not significant.
NSPT improves the periodontal status of smokers with T2D, has a favorable effect on glycemic control and reduces pro-inflammatory mediators, which may limit complications due to T2D in these patients.
This paper qualitatively assesses COVID-19's impact on the tourism industry in Vietnam and the Vietnamese government and tourism industry's responses to the pandemic. It includes data from government ...media sources, semi-structured interviews with 30 managers of travel enterprises, and two group discussions with 50 representatives of tourism and hospitality businesses in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Its findings indicate that Vietnam's tourism sector responded passively in the first stages of the pandemic and then responded reactively and successfully alongside the Vietnamese government's planned re-opening of society and the economy. In particular, it shows how government authorities and tourism companies are implementing strategies to encourage domestic tourism and boost the sector's economic recovery. This paper also explores how various tourism stakeholders in Vietnam (a) see the pandemic as an opportunity to restructure various practices and yet (b) have not prepared contingency plans and long-term strategies to help prevent and mitigate the risks to the industry posed by future crises. This paper concludes by reflecting on how the pandemic illustrates the need for proactive efforts to prepare reduction and readiness strategies and draw up initiatives for long-term development of tourism in Vietnam.
PDF
