1.Sleep Quality and Poor Sleep-related Factors Among Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam
Thang PHAN ; Ha Phan Ai NGUYEN ; Cao Khoa DANG ; Minh Tri PHAN ; Vu Thanh NGUYEN ; Van Tuan LE ; Binh Thang TRAN ; Chinh Van DANG ; Tinh Huu HO ; Minh Tu NGUYEN ; Thang Van DINH ; Van Trong PHAN ; Binh Thai DANG ; Huynh Ho Ngoc QUYNH ; Minh Tran LE ; Nhan Phuc Thanh NGUYEN
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 2023;56(4):319-326
Objectives:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the workload of healthcare workers (HCWs), impacting their health. This study aimed to assess sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and identify factors associated with poor sleep among HCWs in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, 1000 frontline HCWs were recruited from various healthcare facilities in Vietnam between October 2021 and November 2021. Data were collected using a 3-part self-administered questionnaire, which covered demographics, sleep quality, and factors related to poor sleep. Poor sleep quality was defined as a total PSQI score of 5 or higher.
Results:
Participants’ mean age was 33.20±6.81 years (range, 20.0-61.0), and 63.0% were women. The median work experience was 8.54±6.30 years. Approximately 6.3% had chronic comorbidities, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. About 59.5% were directly responsible for patient care and treatment, while 7.1% worked in tracing and sampling. A total of 73.8% reported poor sleep quality. Multivariate logistic regression revealed significant associations between poor sleep quality and the presence of chronic comorbidities (odds ratio [OR], 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 5.24), being a frontline HCW directly involved in patient care and treatment (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.16), increased working hours (OR, 1.84; 95% CI,1.37 to 2.48), and a higher frequency of encountering critically ill and dying patients (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.95).
Conclusions
The high prevalence of poor sleep among HCWs in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic was similar to that in other countries. Working conditions should be adjusted to improve sleep quality among this population.
2.Mental Health Among Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam
Nhan Phuc Thanh NGUYEN ; Ha Phan Ai NGUYEN ; Cao Khoa DANG ; Minh Tri PHAN ; Huynh Ho Ngoc QUYNH ; Van Tuan LE ; Chinh Van DANG ; Tinh Huu HO ; Van Trong PHAN ; Thang Van DINH ; Thang PHAN ; Thi Anh Thu DANG
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 2024;57(1):37-46
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to characterize mental health issues among Vietnamese healthcare workers (HCWs) and to identify related factors.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 990 HCWs in 2021. Their mental health status was measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale.
Results:
In total, 49.9%, 52.3%, and 29.8% of respondents were found to have depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The multivariable linear regression model revealed that factors associated with increased anxiety scores included depression scores (β, 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39 to 0.51) and stress scores (β, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.52). Factors associated with increased depression scores included being frontline HCWs (β, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.10 to 1.10), stress scores (β, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.56), and anxiety scores (β, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.47), while working experience was associated with reduced depression scores (β, -0.08; 95% CI, -0.16 to -0.01). Factors associated with increased stress scores included working experience (β, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.16), personal protective equipment interference with daily activities (β, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.07 to 1.00), depression scores (β, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.59), and anxiety scores (β, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.50), while age was associated with reduced stress scores (β, -0.12; 95% CI, -0.20 to -0.05).
Conclusions
Specific interventions are necessary to enhance and promote the mental health of HCWs so they can successfully cope with the circumstances of the pandemic.
3.Findings and lessons from establishing Zika virus surveillance in southern Viet Nam, 2016
Lan Trong Phan ; Quang Chan Luong ; Thi Hong Hien Do ; Cindy H Chiu ; Thang Minh Cao ; Thao Thi Thanh Nguyen ; Hai Thanh Diep ; Thao Phuong Huynh ; Dung Tri Nguyen ; Nga Hong Le ; Satoko Otsu ; Phu Dac Tran ; Thuong Vu Nguyen ; Masaya Kato
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2019;10(2):22-30
Objective:
To document the evolution and optimization of the Zika virus (ZIKV) disease surveillance system in southern Viet Nam in 2016 and to describe the characteristics of the identified ZIKV-positive cases.
Methods:
We established a sentinel surveillance system to monitor ZIKV transmission in eight sites in eight provinces and expanded the system to 71 sites in 20 provinces in southern Viet Nam in 2016. Blood and urine samples from patients who met the case definition at the sentinel sites were tested for ZIKV using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction at the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City (PI-HCMC). We conducted descriptive analysis and mapped the ZIKV-positive cases.
Results:
In 2016, 2190 specimens from 20 provinces in southern Viet Nam were tested for ZIKV at PI-HCMC; 626 (28.6%), 484 (22.1%), 35 (1.6%) and 1045 (47.7%) tests were conducted in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of the year, respectively. Of these tested specimens, 214 (9.8%) were ZIKV positive with 212 (99.1%) identified in the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, the highest positivity rate was those in age groups 30–39 years (30.0%) and 40–59 years (31.6%). Of the 214 ZIKV-positive patients, 210 (98.1%) presented with rash, 194 (90.7%) with fever, 149 (69.6%) with muscle pain, 123 (57.5%) with joint pain and 66 (30.8%) with conjunctivitis.
Discussion
The surveillance system for ZIKV disease underwent several phases of optimization in 2016, guided by the most up-to-date local data. Here we demonstrate an adaptable surveillance system that detected ZIKV-positive cases in southern Viet Nam.
4.Suicidal ideation and adverse experiences among adolescents with their separated/divorced parents in Hue city
Thi Tra My TRAN ; Binh Thang TRAN ; Minh Tam NGUYEN ; Nu Hong Duc VO ; Van Thong NGUYEN ; Ngo Bao Khuyen NGUYEN ; Thi Thu Ha PHAM ; Uyen Phuong HO ; Hoang Linh VO ; Thi Thu Tham LUONG ; Tuan Anh HOANG ; Cao Khoa DANG ; Thanh Gia NGUYEN ; Minh Tu NGUYEN
Hue Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy 2023;13(6):25-
Background: Suicide continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide. Recently, more than 45,000 children in the age group of 10 to 19 years died by suicide, making it the second leading cause of death in the age group of 15 to 19, surpassed only by traffic accidents, tuberculosis, and fighting. Objective: To determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation among adolescents whose parents are separated/divorced; and to explore the factors associated with suicidal ideation and describe adverse experiences among adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 309 adolescents with separated/separated parents in Hue City. Data was collected through direct interviews using a structured questionnaire. Suicidal ideation was defined as the presence of thoughts or plans related to suicide within the last 12 months. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify factors associated with suicidal ideation in adolescents with separated/ separated parents. Results: The study found that 15.5% (95% CI:11.7 - 20.1) of adolescents with separated /separated parents reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, in which men accounted 8.4% (95% CI:5.6 – 11.2) and women accounted 7.1% (95% CI:4.5 - 10.6). Several factors were identified as increasing the risk of suicidal ideation, including alcohol use (OR = 3.24; 95% CI:1.42 - 7.42), hyperactivity/inattention (OR = 4.96; 95% CI:1.58 - 15.605), and a poor quality of family relationships (OR = 4.82; 95% CI:1.26 - 18.50). On the contrary, certain factors were found to reduce the risk, including being in the 14-15 age group of 14-15 (OR = 0.26; 95% CI:0.10 - 0.69) and participating in physical activity (OR = 0.44; 95% CI:0.21 – 0.94). Conclusions: The research highlights a significant percentage of adolescents with separated / divided parents who experience suicidal ideation. Therefore, it is imperative for families, schools, and society to develop comprehensive strategies to monitor and address various risky behaviours among students simultaneously.