1.Who Influences the Public Intention to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine and What are the Public References and Concerns? A Population Survey in Vietnam
Minh Cuong DUONG ; Hong Trang NGUYEN ; Bich Thuy DUONG
Infection and Chemotherapy 2021;53(4):753-766
Background:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine acceptance is influenced by the trusted recommenders. This survey examined the public references, concerns, and trust in seven groups of recommenders regarding COVID-19 vaccine in Vietnam.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1,579 participants between April 16 and July 16, 2021. Participants’ references, concerns, and responses to vaccination recommendations made by government officials, employers, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, senior family members, and religious leaders were captured using a selfadministered questionnaire.
Results:
Rates of trust ranged from 18.5% to 89.1%. The highest rates were attributable to government (89.1%) and physicians (85.9%). Less than half of participants would accept the vaccines if pharmacists (45.5%), nurses (44.7%), employers (42.4%), senior family members (28.1%), and religious leaders (18.4%) recommended it. Only 37.6% of participants thought that vaccines were safe for them, while 57% were unsure. Most participants would wait and see how people respond to the vaccines before getting vaccinated (91.5%), preferred to receive the vaccines at public hospitals (88.6%), and were concerned about vaccine effectiveness (86.9%) and side effects (76.4%), while 61.8% were concerned about vaccine cost.
Conclusion
Focusing on the personal benefit and relying on the government, physicians, and social role models would make the vaccine advertising campaigns more effective. If annual vaccinations were needed, providing the community with affordable vaccines would be an appropriate, long-term solution to ensure vaccination coverage in low-resource countries like Vietnam. Further studies are needed to examine reasons for the public reference of vaccination centers which may help in improving their confidence in getting the vaccine, regardless of the settings.
2.The Levels of COVID-19 Related Health Literacy among University Students in Vietnam
Minh Cuong DUONG ; Hong Trang NGUYEN ; Bich Thuy DUONG ; Minh Thuy VU
Infection and Chemotherapy 2021;53(1):107-117
Background:
Vietnam is among the few countries that were successful in the fight against the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, subsequent domestic outbreaks of COVID-19 continue to occur. To sharp the community education program to guarantee the final success in the fight against COVID-19 in Vietnam and comparable countries, we examined the levels of COVID-19 knowledge and associated predictors among university students in Vietnam.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted on all students enrolling at Phenikaa University using a self-developed questionnaire consisted of 20 questions regarding COVID-19's risk factors, transmission routes, symptoms, and prevention.
Results:
Among 728 participants, 40.9% were male, 63.2% studied health-related majors, and 18.1% lived alone. Correct response rates ranged from 25.3% to 98.9% across 20 questions. Only 51.9% (378/728) of participants had good knowledge levels. Studying health majors (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.547, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.398 - 0.751, P <0.001), and living with the seniors (AOR 0.612, 95% CI 0.389 - 0.963, P= 0.034) or with friends (AOR 0.405, 95% CI 0.252 – 0.650, P <0.001) were negatively associated with a poor level of COVID-19 knowledge.
Conclusion
The proportion of university students having good knowledge levels is suboptimal. It is essential to improve the quality of COVID-19 education with a more focus on not only the preventive measures, but also the disease itself. More studies are needed to improve the level of COVID-19 knowledge among those living alone or do not study healthrelated majors.
3.The Levels of COVID-19 Related Health Literacy among University Students in Vietnam
Minh Cuong DUONG ; Hong Trang NGUYEN ; Bich Thuy DUONG ; Minh Thuy VU
Infection and Chemotherapy 2021;53(1):107-117
Background:
Vietnam is among the few countries that were successful in the fight against the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, subsequent domestic outbreaks of COVID-19 continue to occur. To sharp the community education program to guarantee the final success in the fight against COVID-19 in Vietnam and comparable countries, we examined the levels of COVID-19 knowledge and associated predictors among university students in Vietnam.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted on all students enrolling at Phenikaa University using a self-developed questionnaire consisted of 20 questions regarding COVID-19's risk factors, transmission routes, symptoms, and prevention.
Results:
Among 728 participants, 40.9% were male, 63.2% studied health-related majors, and 18.1% lived alone. Correct response rates ranged from 25.3% to 98.9% across 20 questions. Only 51.9% (378/728) of participants had good knowledge levels. Studying health majors (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.547, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.398 - 0.751, P <0.001), and living with the seniors (AOR 0.612, 95% CI 0.389 - 0.963, P= 0.034) or with friends (AOR 0.405, 95% CI 0.252 – 0.650, P <0.001) were negatively associated with a poor level of COVID-19 knowledge.
Conclusion
The proportion of university students having good knowledge levels is suboptimal. It is essential to improve the quality of COVID-19 education with a more focus on not only the preventive measures, but also the disease itself. More studies are needed to improve the level of COVID-19 knowledge among those living alone or do not study healthrelated majors.
4.Antibiotic-Resistant Gram-negative Bacteria Carriage in Healthcare Workers Working in an Intensive Care Unit
Bich Thuy DUONG ; Minh Cuong DUONG ; James CAMPBELL ; Van Minh Hoang NGUYEN ; Huu Hien NGUYEN ; Thi Bich HANH BUI ; Van Vinh Chau NGUYEN ; Mary-Louise MCLAWS
Infection and Chemotherapy 2021;53(3):546-552
Little is known about antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) intestinal carriage among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Vietnam. All HCWs at a tertiary intensive care units were asked to undertake weekly rectal swabs. Among 40 participants, 65% (26/40) carried extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)/AmpC β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli. Two HCWs colonized with ESBL/AmpC β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. One HCW colonized with Acinetobacter baumannii. No one carried Pseudomonas spp.. A quarter (10/40) of HCWs were identified as persistent and frequent carriers. There is an urgent need to screen antibiotic-resistant GNB among HCWs and improve HCWs' hand hygiene compliance to reduce the transmission of antibiotic-resistant GNB in the hospital.
5.Antibiotic-Resistant Gram-negative Bacteria Carriage in Healthcare Workers Working in an Intensive Care Unit
Bich Thuy DUONG ; Minh Cuong DUONG ; James CAMPBELL ; Van Minh Hoang NGUYEN ; Huu Hien NGUYEN ; Thi Bich HANH BUI ; Van Vinh Chau NGUYEN ; Mary-Louise MCLAWS
Infection and Chemotherapy 2021;53(3):546-552
Little is known about antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) intestinal carriage among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Vietnam. All HCWs at a tertiary intensive care units were asked to undertake weekly rectal swabs. Among 40 participants, 65% (26/40) carried extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)/AmpC β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli. Two HCWs colonized with ESBL/AmpC β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. One HCW colonized with Acinetobacter baumannii. No one carried Pseudomonas spp.. A quarter (10/40) of HCWs were identified as persistent and frequent carriers. There is an urgent need to screen antibiotic-resistant GNB among HCWs and improve HCWs' hand hygiene compliance to reduce the transmission of antibiotic-resistant GNB in the hospital.
6.Evaluation of the positivity of the fecal occult blood test compared to the microscopic detection of red blood cells
Chi Cao LE ; Nu Phuong Anh TON ; Thi Minh Chau NGO ; Phuoc Vinh NGUYEN ; Thi Bich Thao DO ; Thi Ngoc Thuy HA ; Minh Tiep VO ; Thi Giang TRAN ; That Dong Duong TON
Hue Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy 2023;13(7):31-38
Backgrounds: Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) is commonly used in colorectal cancer screening programs. Many studies have compared different FOBT methods, but the correlation between traditional red cell microscopy and FOBT remains unclear. Objectives: 1) To evaluate the rate of positive FOBT in patients with different disease groups; 2) To compare the sensitivity and specificity of red blood cells detection in fresh stool by microscopy technique and FOBT. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 120 patients from Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital who requested a stool test from 4/2021 to 4/2022. Fresh stool samples were examined for the presence of red blood cells using traditional microscopy and FOBT technique. Results: The overall positivity rate of FOBT was 20%, and in the group of gastrointestinal diseases (n = 24), clinical anemia (n = 21), hepatobiliary diseases (n = 26) and other diseases (n = 49), it was 37.5%, 23.8%, 11.5% and 14.3%, respectively. In comparison with the FOBT technique, microscopic RBC detection had a sensitivity of 33.3% and a specificity of 100%. Conclusions: A high rate of fecal occult blood tests was observed in patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Microscopic erythrocyte detection has low sensitivity and many disadvantages compared to the rapid test. This rapid test should be widely used in clinical practice to aid in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding
7.Update on antibiotic resistance of common pathogenical bacteria isolated in Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital
Dinh Binh TRAN ; Viet Quynh Tram NGO ; Thi Bao Chi LE ; Thi Chau Anh NGUYEN ; Hoang Bach NGUYEN ; Van Bao Thang PHAN ; Thi Khanh Linh NGUYEN ; Nu Xuan Thanh LE ; Thi Dang Khoa NGUYEN ; Thi Tuyen NGUYEN ; Thi Thuy UNG ; Thi Hai DINH ; Thi Ngoc Mai DUONG ; Minh Ngoc HOANG ; Viet Tu NGUYEN ; Le Bich Ngoc HOANG ; Tuan Khoi TRAN ; Doan Hieu TRAN ; Thi Tuyet Ngoc TRAN ; Van An LE
Hue Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy 2023;13(7):66-74
Backgroud: The aim of this study is to update on antibiotic resistance of common pathogenical bacteria isolated in Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital (Hue UMP Hospital). Methodology: Use of the agar disk diffusion method to test the susceptibility to antimicrobial agents of 3709 bacterial strains from infected patients hospitalized in Hue UMP Hospital in 2020 - 2022. Results: Among 3709 strains of pathogenical bacteria isolated, S.aureus was found with the rate of 29.9%, followed by E. coli (24.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginasa (17.8%), Enterococcus spp. (11.8%), Klebsiella spp (9.7%) and Acinetobacter spp (4.1%). The proportion of bacterial isolates has changed, but Staphylococcus aureus is still highest rate. S.aureus is resistant to many antibiotics, but MRSA strains have decreased significantly, from 73.3% in 2020 to 62.5% in 2022. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to some of the group A recommended antibiotics such as ceftazidime, piperacillin-tazobactam with the rate of 56.6% and 48.7%. The percentage of E. coli with ESBL strains (+) was at 28.2% - 30.3%. Enterococus spp strains are still sensitive to vancomycin (83.1% - 91.9%). The rate of Klebsiella ESBL (+) is only 6.9% to 8.2%. The strains of Acinetobacter spp were highly resistant to Piperacillin (100%) and Ceftriaxone (96.5%) but they are still sensitive to imipenems 70 - 71%, highly sensitive to Doxycillin (95.2%) and Cefotaxime (88.4%). Conclusion: Many bacterial strains are resistant to many commonly antibiotics. Providing timely, regular, and effective management of antibiotic resistance patterns for common pathogenic bacteria in hospitals, will help reduce the risk of bacterial resistance.