1.Identification of Trombiculid Chigger Mites Collected on Rodents from Southern Vietnam and Molecular Detection of Rickettsiaceae Pathogen
Minh Doan BINH ; Sinh Cao TRUONG ; Dong Le THANH ; Loi Cao BA ; Nam Le VAN ; Binh Do NHU
The Korean Journal of Parasitology 2020;58(4):445-450
Trombiculid “chigger” mites (Acari) are ectoparasites that feed blood on rodents and another animals. A crosssectional survey was conducted in 7 ecosystems of southern Vietnam from 2015 to 2016. Chigger mites were identified with morphological characteristics and assayed by polymerase chain reaction for detection of rickettsiaceae. Overall chigger infestation among rodents was 23.38%. The chigger index among infested rodents was 19.37 and a mean abundance of 4.61. A total of 2,770 chigger mites were identified belonging to 6 species, 3 genera, and 1 family, and pooled into 141 pools (10-20 chiggers per pool). Two pools (1.4%) of the chiggers were positive for Orientia tsutsugamushi. Ricketsia spp. was not detected in any pools of chiggers. Further studies are needed including a larger number and diverse hosts, and environmental factors to assess scrub typhus.
2.Impact of long COVID-19 on posttraumatic stress disorderas modified by health literacy: an observational study inVietnam
Han Thi VO ; Tien Duc DAO ; Tuyen Van DUONG ; Tan Thanh NGUYEN ; Binh Nhu DO ; Tinh Xuan DO ; Khue Minh PHAM ; Vinh Hai VU ; Linh Van PHAM ; Lien Thi Hong NGUYEN ; Lan Thi Huong LE ; Hoang Cong NGUYEN ; Nga Hoang DANG ; Trung Huu NGUYEN ; Anh The NGUYEN ; Hoan Van NGUYEN ; Phuoc Ba NGUYEN ; Hoai Thi Thanh NGUYEN ; Thu Thi Minh PHAM ; Thuy Thi LE ; Thao Thi Phuong NGUYEN ; Cuong Quoc TRAN ; Kien Trung NGUYEN
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives 2024;15(1):33-44
Objectives:
The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has increased, particularly among individuals who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Health literacy is considered a “social vaccine” that helps people respond effectively to the pandemic. We aimed to investigate the association between long COVID-19 and PTSD, and to examine the modifying role of health literacy in this association.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted at 18 hospitals and health centers in Vietnamfrom December 2021 to October 2022. We recruited 4,463 individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 infection for at least 4 weeks. Participants provided information about their sociodemographics, clinical parameters, health-related behaviors, health literacy (usingthe 12-item short-form health literacy scale), long COVID-19 symptoms and PTSD (Impact Event Scale-Revised score of 33 or higher). Logistic regression models were used to examine associations and interactions.
Results:
Out of the study sample, 55.9% had long COVID-19 symptoms, and 49.6% had PTSD.Individuals with long COVID-19 symptoms had a higher likelihood of PTSD (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.63–2.12; p < 0.001). Higher health literacy was associated with a lower likelihood of PTSD (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97–0.99; p = 0.001). Compared to those without long COVID-19 symptoms and the lowest health literacy score, those with long COVID-19 symptoms and a 1-point health literacy increment had a 3% lower likelihood of PTSD (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96–0.99; p = 0.001).
Conclusion
Health literacy was found to be a protective factor against PTSD and modified the negative impact of long COVID-19 symptoms on PTSD.