1.Status of anxiety among students at Hanoi medical university and some related factors
Tran Tho Nhi ; Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang ; Phung Xuan Chuan ; Pham Manh Hung
Vietnam Journal of Public Health 2025;11(1):1-
Background: This research’s aims are to determine the prevalence of anxiety among students at Hanoi Medical University in the academic year 2020-2021 and some related factors.
Methods: This study used a descriptive cross-sectional study on 1325 students at Hanoi Medical University, using DASS-21 scale with questionnaire of anxiety subscale and a self-designed questionnaire. Students were chosen to the study conveniently during the period of data collection.
Results: The result of this study showed that the prevalence of anxiety among students was 42.3%. In this population, the moderate subgroup accounted for the biggest prevalence, at 19.1%. The figures for other subgroups, including mild, severe and extremely severe, were 8%, 6.6% and 8.6% respectively. Relevant factors to students’ anxiety were financial difficulties, online learning difficulties and a factor related to Covid 19, which was “afraid of coming home due to the chance of infecting family members with the disease”.
Conclusion: Nearly half of students were likely to have anxiety disorders, requiring support measures. Students needed to practice physical exercises, manage schedules to improve their health. Besides, universities should provide financial and academic support to struggling students.
2.Cyberbullying among Hanoi medical university students and some associated factors in 2023
Tran Quynh Anh ; Nguyen Thi Phuong Oanh ; Ha Tuan Dung ; Tran Minh Hai ; Dang Quang Tan ; Ngo Toan Anh
Vietnam Journal of Public Health 2025;11(1):2-
Objectives: The rapid and widespread development of social networking sites has created a potential venue for an increase in cyberbullying among adolescents. While much research has been done on middle school/high school students, this issue for college/university students has yet to receive much attention. The present study described the prevalence of cyberbullying and associated factors among Hanoi Medical University students.
Methods: Data were obtained from an online survey of conveniently selected Hanoi Medical University students. A total of 736 students participated and finished a structured questionnaire based on the Cyberbullying Victimization Scale (CVS).
Results: The prevalence of cyberbullying victims among Hanoi Medical University students was 17.4%, and 9.0% of the students had engaged in cyberbullying behaviors. Research also indicated that there is an association between cyberbullying behavior and factors such as internet usage duration and frequency of monitoring violent information. Gender didn't have any relationship with cyberbullying victimization but had a significant association with cyberbullying perpetration (OR = 2.37, 95%CI = 1.42 – 3.96).
Conclusion: Cyberbullying has become an important phenomenon related to internet usage duration and violent information among students of Hanoi Medical University. Therefore, it is necessary to build healthy internet habits and manage online information to reduce cyberbullying prevalence and promote student health in the digital age.
3.Nutritional status and some digestive symptoms in the elderly treated at Hanoi medical university hospital
Bui Thi Cam Tra ; Nguyen Thuy Linh ; Pham Thi Tuyet Chinh ; Nguyen Thu Trang
Vietnam Journal of Public Health 2025;11(1):3-
Background: The elderly are a population group that is particularly vulnerable to nutritional and digestive problems due to age-related physiological changes. In the hospital setting, where the elderly are treated as inpatients, gastrointestinal symptoms can become more complicated due to the impact of many factors related to the hospital environment such as changes in diet and use of multiple medications. In Vietnam, the population is aging rapidly, with the proportion of people over 60 years old increasing. This is a major challenge for the health system, especially in nutritional management and improving the quality of life of the elderly.
Objectives: The study aims to describe the nutritional status, common gastrointestinal symptoms and the association between gastrointestinal symptoms disorders and nutritional status in elderly individuals receiving inpatient treatment.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 264 elderly patients at Hanoi Medical University Hospital from March 2023 to May 2024. Nutritional status was assessed using the BMI (WHO) and MNA, with ROME IV criteria employed to determine gastrointestinal symptoms, including functional dyspepsia, belching disorders, nausea, and vomiting disorders. Related factors considered were age, gender, and comorbidities.
Results: The average age of the participants was 69.4±7.2 years. The rate of malnutrition or risk of malnutrition in the study subjects according to MNA was quite high, 12.5% and 70.1%, respectively. The prevalence of common digestive symptoms in elderly patients includes: 60.2% of elderly patients have symptoms of functional dyspepsia; 33.7% have symptoms of belching disorder; nausea and vomiting disorders account for 16.4%. According to MNA assessment, the proportion of elderly patients at risk of malnutrition and malnutrition with symptoms of gastrointestinal disorder was higher than the non-malnutrition group, the difference was statistically significant with p<0.05. Female participants often have digestive symptoms more often than male participants (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Digestive symptoms are common in the elderly treated in a hospital. The incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms in the elderly is related to malnutrition.
4.Factors associating with nutritional status among adults with Beta-Thalassemia Major
Hoang Thi Ngoc Anh ; Dinh Thi Thu Trang ; Pham Van Thao ; Ha Tu Phuong ; Nguyen Tien Vu ; Pham Thi Ngoc Huyen ; Bui Thi Mai An
Vietnam Journal of Public Health 2025;11(1):4-
Background: Patients with beta-thalassemia major are susceptible to malnutrition, yet limited evidence exists in Vietnam. This study aims to identify factors associated with underweight status among adults with beta-thalassemia major in Vietnam.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 201 adults (≥18 years) with beta-thalassemia major. Underweight was defined as BMI < 18.5 kg/m². Logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with underweight status, including age, sex, ethnicity, place of residence, educational level, marital status, and employment status.
Results: Over half of the participants (54.2%) were underweight. Female (aOR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.12–0.73, p-value=0.008) and married patients (aOR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13–0.79, p-value=0.013) were significantly associated with lower odds of underweight status compared to male and unmarried counterparts. Underweight patients had significantly lower fat mass, muscle mass, and bone mineral content, but higher total body water percentage compared to those with normal weight.
Conclusion: Underweight status is highly prevalent among adults with beta-thalassemia major in Vietnam, particularly among males and unmarried individuals. These findings underscore the need for targeted nutritional and psychosocial support strategies to improve care and quality of life for this vulnerable population. We recommend implementing tailored nutritional interventions to improve their nutritional status.
5.Prevalence of Depression, anxiety and stress among the adolescents and associated factors: A Scoping review
Pham Phuong Mai ; Tran Thi Le Hang ; Pham Mai Oanh ; Bui Quang Tien Tien ; Pham Hoang Ha
Vietnam Journal of Public Health 2025;11(1):5-
Background: Depression, anxiety, and stress have become major public health concerns among adolescents, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding their prevalence and determinants is essential to inform prevention and intervention strategies.
Objectives: To describe the prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among adolescents from 2022 to 2023.
Methods: This is a scoping review. We synthesize scientific studies on depression, anxiety, stress in adolescents aged 10-24 years published in journals from three data bases: PubMed, Cochrane, Embase.
Results: A total of 34 studies on depression, anxiety, and stress in adolescents were included in the review. This scoping review indicates that prevalence of depression ranged from 12.5% to 90.9%, that of anxiety was between 15.2% and 74.7%, and that of stress ranged from 3.2% to 75.3%. The mean age of participants across studies ranged from 14.5 to 21.9 years. Several factors have been identified in different studies as exacerbating these symptoms among adolescents, including age, gender, education related factors, family background, and risk behaviors.
Conclusion: The findings of this review provide valuable insights for parents and health professionals to design effective strategies that mitigate mental health symptoms and foster adolescents’ healthy development.
6.Nutritional status and some related factors in elderly treated type 2 diabetes at national hospital of endocrinology
Bui Thi Cam Tra ; Nguyen Trong Hung ; Nguyen Hai Duong
Vietnam Journal of Public Health 2025;11(1):6-
Objectives: Type 2 diabetes is a growing public health concern, especially among the elderly. Understanding the nutritional status of this population is essential for effective disease management. This study describes the nutritional status and some related factors in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes at the National Hospital Of Endocrinology in 2023-2024.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 209 elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes receiving treatment at the Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics Department, National Hospital Of Endocrinology.
Results: The average age was 70.63 (±6.64) years, with 54.07% being female. According to WHO classification, 19.62% were overweight, and 2.39% were obese. Based on the World Health Organization's Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) classification, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 24.88% and 22.01%, respectively. High waist circumference (WC) was found in 71.29% of participants. Overweight and obesity were significantly associated with comorbidities: patients with lipid metabolism disorders had a 2.07-fold higher risk (95% CI: 1.06–6.88, p<0.05), and those with cardiovascular disease/hypertension had a 2.21-fold higher risk (95% CI: 1.01–4.81, p<0.05). A slower eating pace was linked to a 0.34-fold lower risk of overweight/obesity (95% CI: 0.29–0.84, p<0.05).
Conclusion: Elderly diabetic patients had a high prevalence of overweight, obesity, and central adiposity, which were influenced by comorbidities and dietary habits. Targeted nutritional interventions were crucial for improving their health outcomes.
7.Accessibility and utilization of sexual reproductive health services in a Vietnamese mountainous area: A mixed-method empirical study
Nguyen Thi Hoa Huyen ; Nguyen Chau Anh ; Hac Huyen My ; Tran Ngoc Tran ; Tran Le Minh Anh
Vietnam Journal of Public Health 2025;11(1):7-
Objectives: This study examined the accessibility and utilization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among ethnic minority populations in Vietnam’s mountainous regions, with a focus on their perceptions and challenges.
Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed, combining a structured survey of 630 adults with semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions to capture both utilization patterns and contextual experiences.
Results: Most participants were of Thai ethnicity (77%). Commune health stations and district hospitals were the most frequently used facilities, primarily for genital tract diseases, pregnancy, and contraceptive services. Over 80% reported satisfaction with services; however, major barriers included long waiting times, limited transportation, and geographical isolation. Respondents expressed a preference for district-level and private facilities due to perceived higher quality, while residents in remote areas often relied on village midwives for maternal care. Additional challenges included the absence of school health staff and the financial burden on teachers providing basic medical support.
Conclusion: Findings highlight both service availability and persistent inequities. Addressing logistical, cultural, and systemic barriers through culturally sensitive policies and programs is essential to improving SRH equity for ethnic minority communities in Vietnam.

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