BACKGROUND: In order to provide essential scientific evidence on the population's health status and social health determinants as well as the current capacity of the health care system in Vietnam to health policy makers and managers, Vietnam Ministry of Health, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, and Ho Chi Minh University of Medicine and Pharmacy collaborated with Seoul National University (Korea) and conducted a health system survey in the Quoc Oai district (of Hanoi capital) that represented northern rural Vietnam. METHODS: The study design was a cross-sectional study. The survey covered different topics (more than 200 questions) and was administered in three separate questionnaires: 1) Basic information of all household members; 2) Household characteristics; and 3) Individual characteristics. Socio-demographic characteristics among the households and individuals were collected from 2,400 households sampled by multi-stage cluster sampling method: more than 200 questions. RESULTS: The household size of Quoc Oai was larger than the national average and there was no significant difference in gender composition. In addition, the proportions of pre-elderly, age 55–64, and elderly group (65 years old and over) were higher than the national population statistics. In this context, demographic transition has begun in Quoc Oai. CONCLUSION: This study design description provides the basic information about a baseline survey of a future prospective cohort (as a part of a collaborative project on strengthening the health system in Vietnam) to the prospective data user of this survey.
Aged ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Family Characteristics ; Health Policy ; Humans ; Methods ; Pharmacy ; Population Characteristics ; Population Dynamics ; Prospective Studies ; Public Health ; Seoul ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vietnam

Objective To characterize viral co-infections among representative hospitalized measles cases during the 2014 Hanoi outbreak. Methods Throat swabs were collected from 54 pediatric patients with confirmed measles, and molecular diagnostics performed for 10 additional viral respiratory pathogens (Influenza A/H1N1pdm09; A/H3N2 and influenza B; Parainfluenza 1, 2, 3; Respiratory Synctial Virus, RSV; human Metapneumovirus, hMPV; Adenovirus and Picornavirus). Results Twenty-one cases (38.9%) showed evidence of infection with other respiratory viruses: 15 samples contained measles plus one additional virus, and 6 samples contained measles plus 2 additional viruses. Adenovirus was detected as a predominant cause of co-infections (13 cases; 24.1%), followed by RSV (6 cases; 11.1%), A/H1N1pdm09 (3 cases; 5.6%), PIV3 (3 cases; 3.7%), Rhinovirus (3 cases; 3.7%) and hMPV (1 case; 1.96%). Conclusions Viral co-infections identified from pediatric measles cases may have contributed to increased disease severity and high rate of fatal outcomes. Optimal treatment of measles cases may require control of multiple viral respiratory pathogens.

Background: Facing urgent requirements of the rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis nowadays, our laboratory have improved the multiple PCR for 3 target genes spontaneously (IS 1081, IS 6110, 23S rDNA) and developed into the multiplex PCR kit to improve the effects of diagnosis of tuberculosis. Objective: To evaluate the multiplex PCR kit for the 3 target genes (IS 1081, IS 6110, 23S rDNA) for the diagnosis of tuberculosis on standard panel and clinical specimens. Subjects and method: DNA extracted from M. tuberculosis strains and clinical specimens were amplified by multiplex PCR kit, comparison with singleplex PCR for each target gene. Results: On standard panel, sensitivity and specificity reached 100% and detected limitation was 100 fg DNA template (about 3 M. tuberculosis cells). Multiplex PCR kit detected 195/307 (63.52%) suspected clinical specimens compared with singleplex PCR which detected 106/307 (34.53%) for IS 1081, 182/307 (59.82%) for IS 6110 and 136/307 (44.30%) for 23S rDNA. Conclusions: PCR amplification with one target gene was insufficient for diagnosis of the tuberculosis strains in Viet Nam. Multiplex PCR kit for 3 target genes simultaneously (IS 1081, IS 6110, 23S rDNA) could detect all tuberculosis strains.
Tuberculosis ; PCR

Background: Noise pollution has seriously negative effects on worker\u2019s health, especially their hearing ability. Occupational hearing loss is one of 21 insured occupational diseases. Occupational hearing loss is common in workers in transpostation, construction, energy heavy and light industry areas. Objectives: 1. To determine the degree of noise pollution in Thua Thien Hue Unity Auto Mechanical Joint Stock Company. 2. To evaluate occupational failing hearing and occupational hearing loss among workers in the company. 3. To promote preventive measures which imnimize occupational failing hearing and occupational hearing loss. Subjects and method:A cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out in 254 employees in Thua Thien Hue Unity Auto Mechanical \r\n', u'Joint Stock Company. Results and Conclusion: 72.7% the employees of Thua Thien Hue Unity Auto Mechanical \r\n', u'Joint Stock Company have exposed to environmental noise at the level higher than the permitted one. The rate of occupational failing hearing among these people is rather high (33.1%), and occupational hearing loss rate is 11.8%. There is a increased rate of occupational hearing loss according to the employee\u2019s age and seniority. Proposed preventive measures should be immediately conducted (P < 0.05).\r\n', u'
Hearing Loss ; Noise-Induced/ epidemiology ; etiology ; pathology ;

Background: Hue city is a cultural and tourism center of The middle and the whole country. Beside developing tourism services, food processing establishments, traditional specialities, eating and drinking services especially street food services more and more develop plentifully and multiform, satisfy daily demand of consumers. Objectives: Assessment on improvement level on some targets of street food safety and hygiene after 2 years intervention. Subjects and method: All street food processing establishments in 3 wards: V\u0129nh Ninh, Ph\xfa H\u1ed9i, V\ufffd?D\ufffd?of Hue city. Method: Cross-sectional study with comparison before and after intervention. Results: Kitchen utensils samples have met hygiene requirements and the proportion of food samples without borax both increase. The infection rate of bacteria in cook\ufffd?hands, kitchen utensils, cooked food were improved after 2 years carried out targeted model. Clean water for processing street food have not enough although 100% households use running water. The proportion of people were trained about food safety and hygiene knowledges and health examination increase. The situation of using food colourings and poisonous additives decrease remarkably. Salesclerks have more consciousness of preserving and covering food. 86,4% of food processing establishments have recycle bins obtain requirement to reduce polluted food. Conclusion: Street food is an important stage of food supplying network in 3 wards above. Somewhere having interest of Government and local authorities, Steering committee have efficient activities street food model develop conveniently.
Food Safety/ methods

Background: In Viet Nam, there were many researches on determining lead level in blood, food and environment. But until now, there were not researches on determining lead level in fishermen community. Objectives: Determine trace amount of lead by von-ampe dissolve anot using electrode BiFE. Analysis on trace amount of lead in blood and urine of fishermen in Canh Duong village. Propose solutions for preventing lead poisoning in studied community. Subjects and method: Fishermen in Canh Duong village, Phu Loc, Thua Thien Hue province. The method differential pulse-anodic stripping voltametry (DP-ASV) using Bismuth Film Electrodic in situ was successfully applied to measure lead levels in blood and 24h urine of fishermen in Canh Duong village. Results: The mean level of lead in blood of the suspected group (fishermen) in Canh Duong village (34,7 \xb5g/dL) was higher than that of the control group (16,3 \xb5g/dL). For both groups, 37 out of 40 blood samples (92,5%) had lead level higher than WHO\u2019s recommended level (10 \xb5g/dL). Especially, 6 of 40 blood samples (15%) had lead level higher than 50 \xb5g/dL. The lead level in 24h urine of suspected group had slightly higher (about 1,2 times) than that in the control group. The lead level of the two groups was much higher than the normal level. Conclusion: The method DP-ASV/BiFE in situ was applied successfully to determine lead level in blood and 24h urine. The investigative results of related information showed that: the risk of chronic lead poisoning in studied community very high.
Lead/ adverse effects ; chemistry ; antagonists & ; inhibitors ;

Heart functions are not only blood pump but also endocrine, through discovery of diuretic peptids that helping excretion of sodium (natriuretic peptids) released by heart muscle. And very quickly, there was an explosion of studies about the values of these hormones in the diagnosis and management of some cardiovascular diseases, especially congestive heart failure (by nature there wasn’t any biochemical test) in the early 21st century
Hormones ; Heart Failure ; diagnosis ; heart

XXIst century - a biological century follows by the last decade of XXth century - a computer age. During many decades of rapid scientific development, a new scientific branch was born and grew up too fast, it is bioinformatics. However, the concept and application of bioinformatics isn't known widely. So, in this article, author introduced concept bioinformatics and its applications in biotechnology, medicine and pharmacy, forensic biology
Computational Biology ; History, 21st Century ; Computers

Background: HbA1c quantification is the first important work in long- term controlling of diabetes, which helps to assess the status of diabetes from 2 to 3 months before testing. HbA1c is essential testing to follow up compliance with treatment or not of patients.\r\n', u'Objectives: To study the role of blood HbA1c and micoalbuminuria in the treatment of diabetes.\r\n', u'Subjects and methods: The study was conducted on 124 patients (71 male and 53 female) suffering from diabetes mellitus. Among them, 124 patients were tested for blood HbA1c, 52 patients were tested for both blood HbA1c and micoalbuminuria. The study used the automatic immunological and biochemical techniques. \r\n', u'Results: Concentration of HbA1c was 8.10\xb12.65%, glycemia 9.83\xb14.82mmol/l, urinary micro albumin 76.5\xb196.90mg/l.\r\n', u'There was close relationship between glycaemia and HbA1c; but the relation between micoalbuminuria with HbA1c and glycaemia was not found. The control of diabetes mellitus was poor if glycaemia over 10.0mmol/l and/or HbA1c over 10%. \r\n', u'Conclusion: The techniques applied in the study were precise, rapid and convenient for the patients.\r\n', u'
HbA1c ; microalbuminuria ; diabetes

We have a step backwards in comparing with the previous 40 years in the education and the organization of medical laboratory examination. While our equipment and techniques have got new great success and the needs have increased. Typically, in clinical briefing, laboratory doctors and technicians have been always absent, it seems that it is due to the leak of a deep knowledge and a large skill of laboratory. Therefore their roles were reduced. An improvement in the programm of formation of laboratory doctors and experts with various branches: biochemia, hematology, blood perfusion was recommend
Outpatient Clinics, Hospital ; Technology, Medical ; Laboratories ; diagnosis ;