The KAP survey on liver disease, hepatitis B and EPI was conducted in Quang Xuong and Ngoc Lac (Thanh Hoa) in October 2000. The results: there were more than 50% of interviewees giving completely correct answers on liver disease. Monthly visits of EPI staffs increased three times in Ngoc Lac to compare with this of 3 years ago. Radio/TV and loudspeakers are still the main ways to inform EPI activities. Knowledge of mothers on vaccination has been improved. The rate of having birth at CHS has increased in Ngoc Lac (from 6.2% to 34.2%)
Hepatitis, Chronic ; hepatitis B

1581 person from 2 different geographic areas of Thanh Hoa province participated in the serosurvey of hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV) virus in August 1998. They were divided into 4 age groups representative of different modes of viral transmission; 2 infant groups: 9-18 months old and 4-6 years old, adolescent group 14-16 years old and adult group 25-40 years old. Nearly half of the surveyed people were exposed to HBV, the rate of HBsAb positive increased with age and up to 81,4% of adults. The rate of HBsAg carriers was 17% there was no significant difference between age groups. More than 85% of infant HBsAg carriers were HBeAg positive, these rates on adolescent and adult were lower. HBsAb increased with age and only 3,4% of infant 9-18 months old had this antibody. Only 6 samples and no one of infant were positive among 1563 anti-HCV tests.
Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis C ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human

By monitoring the clinical and epidemiological development and prevention of SARS outbreak, the author initially informed some remarks: 1 month after outbreak, SARS just occurred in individuals who were close related with the initial sources of infection from hospitals. Not detect outbreak in community
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; Epidemiologic Methods ; Epidemiologic Studies ; epidemiology

On 332 blood sample of patients who underwent dialysis with many times of blood transfusion at the Institute of Hematology and blood transfusion, HCV infection was evaluated. Results showed the infection of C hepatits virus of 1a, 1b, 6, 6a genotypes. The infection was associated with the quality of transfused blood. Patients gender age occupation education level, the place where the procedure carried out, marital status, religion, ethnic group, the history of drug use… were not related factors.
Kidney, Artificial ; Hepacivirus ; Epidemiology ; Dialysis ; Blood Transfusion

A pilot cross-sectional study was conducted in order to identify the need and the use of HIV/AIDS counselling services and real situation at the counselling facilities in Hanoi. data was obtained using a self- administered questionaire to 8 groups of people with risk behaviours related to HIV/AIDS. These groupd also took part in group discussions. Structured in-deep interviews with counsellors and observation at counselling facilities were also conducted. The need for using HIV/AIDS counselling services was low (45.7%). Only 41.6% of persons who have need for counselling had use service. People living with HIV/AIDS and their families were the two main groups using these services. The reason for low utilisation was user’s poor perception of HIV/AIDS infection risks. Problems from the providers also con tributed to the services: inappropriate organisation and investment. The main fidings suggest that increase of the risk perception of HIV/AIDS of individual and community serveices, it should be reorganised. At the same time, the counselling activities should be socialised, and considered as the key task of the whole society and community, not only that of the health sector.
HIV ; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Epidemiology

Background: Viet Nam confirmed its first case of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on 23 January 2020 among travellers from Wuhan, China, and experienced several clusters of community transmission until September. Viet Nam implemented an aggressive testing, isolation, contact tracing and quarantine strategy in response to all laboratory-confirmed cases. We report the results of SARS-CoV-2 testing during the first half of 2020 in northern Viet Nam. Methods: Between January and May 2020, 15 650 upper respiratory tract specimens were collected from 14 470 suspected cases and contacts in northern Viet Nam. All were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time RT-PCR. Individuals with positive specimens were tested every three days until two tests were negative. Positive specimens from 81 individuals were cultured. Results: Among 14 470 tested individuals, 158 (1.1%) cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were confirmed; 89 were imported and 69 were associated with community transmission. Most patients (122, 77%) had negative results after two tests, while 11 and 4 still tested positive when sampled a third and fourth time, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 was isolated from 29 of 81 specimens (36%) with a cycle threshold (Ct) value <30. Seven patients who tested positive again after testing negative had Ct values >30 and negative cultures. Conclusion Early, widespread testing for SARS-CoV-2 in northern Viet Nam identified very few cases, which, when combined with other aggressive strategies, may have dramatically contained the epidemic. We observed rapid viral clearance and very few positive results after clearance. Large-scale molecular diagnostic testing is a critical part of early detection and containment of COVID-19 in Viet Nam and will remain necessary until vaccination is widely implemented.

As authorities braced for the arrival of the Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), infrastructure investments and government directives prompted action in central Viet Nam to establish capacity for genomic surveillance sequencing. From 17 November 2021 to 7 January 2022, the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang sequenced 162 specimens from 98 150 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases in the region collected from 8 November to 31 December 2021. Of these, all 127 domestic cases were identified as the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, whereas 92% (32/35) of imported cases were identified as the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant, all among international flight passengers. Patients were successfully isolated, enabling health-care workers to prepare for additional cases. Most (78%) of the 32 Omicron cases were fully vaccinated, suggesting continued importance of public health and social measures to control the spread of new variants.