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

INTRODUCTION: Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) represents an emerging public health problem worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 9.7% of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases are defined as XDR-TB globally. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of drug resistance to second-line TB drugs among MDR-TB cases detected in the Fourth National Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Resistance Survey in Viet Nam. METHODS: Eighty clusters of TB cases were selected using a probability-proportion-to-size approach. To identify MDR-TB cases, drug susceptibility testing (DST) was performed for the four major first-line TB drugs. DST of second-line drugs (ofloxacin, amikacin, kanamycin, capreomycin) was performed on isolates from MDR-TB cases to identify pre-XDR and XDR cases. RESULTS: A total of 1629 smear-positive TB cases were eligible for culture and DST. Of those, DST results for first-line drugs were available for 1312 cases, and 91 (6.9%) had MDR-TB. Second-line DST results were available for 84 of these cases. Of those, 15 cases (17.9%) had ofloxacin resistance and 6.0% were resistant to kanamycin and capreomycin. Five MDR-TB cases (6.0%) met the criteria of XDR-TB. CONCLUSION: This survey provides the first estimates of the proportion of XDR-TB among MDR-TB cases in Viet Nam and provides important information for local policies regarding second-line DST. Local policies and programmes that are geared towards TB prevention, early diagnosis and treatment with effective regimens are of high importance.

Health financing has been considered as an important building block of a health system and has a key role in promoting universal health coverage in the Vietnam. This paper aims to describe the pattern of health expenditure, including total health expenditure and composition of health expenditure, over the last two decades in Vietnam. The paper mainly uses the data from Vietnam National Health Account and Vietnam Living Standards Survey. We also included data from other relevant published literature, reports and statistics about health care expenditure in Vietnam. The per capita health expenditure in Vietnam increased from US$ 14 in 1995 to US$ 86 in 2012. The total health expenditure as a share of GDP also rose from 5.2% in 1995 to 6.9% in 2012. Public health expenditure as percentage of government expenditure rose from 7.4% in 1995 to nearly 10% in 2012. The coverage of health insurance went up from 10% in 1995 to 68.5% in 2012. However, health financing in Vietnam was depending on private expenditures (57.4% in 2012). As a result, the proportion of households with catastrophic expenditure in 2012 was 4.2%. The rate of impoverishment in 2012 was 2.5%. To ensure equity and efficient goal of health system, policy actions for containing the health care out-of-pocket payments and their poverty impacts are urgently needed in Vietnam.
Developing Countries/*economics ; Financing, Government/economics/trends ; Health Expenditures/*statistics & numerical data/*trends ; *Healthcare Financing ; Insurance, Health/*economics/*trends ; Vietnam/epidemiology

Introduction: To date, there has not been any systematical and experimental research aimed at indicating the effects of Morinda officinalis How on the genital organs of male rats. \r\n', u"Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of Morinda officinalis How (MOl-I) on the genital organs of male rats, to describe the changes in histology of testicles, and evaluate the testosterone concentration in mature male rats' bloods when dosed with MOH.\r\n", u'Subjects and method: Mature and immature rats were divided into 3 groups: mature rats, castrated and non - castrated immature rats. The rats have a daily dosage of MOH: 20g/kg. The above groups of rats were euthanized after 10 days; their testicles, seminal vesicles, prostates and Cowper land were weighed; specimens of histology of testicles were made; testosterone concentration in the bloods of the mature rats was measured. Results were compared amongst experimental groups. \r\n', u'Results and conclusion: Compared with the control group, MOH (dosage 20g/kg) increased the weight of testicles, seminal vesicles, prostates, and Cowper lands (p < 0.05). In mature rats, MOH increased the testosterone concentration in the blood in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). MOH did not change the histology of testicles, diameter of seminal ducts, but it did change the rate of seminal ducts having sperm compared with the control group and the testosterone injected group (p < 0.05). \r\n', u'
Morinda officinalis How ; Genital organs ; Male rat

Background: In traditional medicine, liquid extract VK2 has good effects in the treatment of osteoarticular pain. This remedy has its origin from \u201cTam ty thang\u201d of the Eastern traditional medicine. Objective: To evaluate the analgesic and acute anti-inflammatory effects of liquid extract VK2. Subjects and method: The trial was performed on white mice (18-22 g body weight) and albino rats (120 +/- 20 g body weight). These animals were healthy. The prescribed amount of VK2 doses were 27.5 g and 55 g per kg body weight of the mice, 19.25 g and 38.5 g per kg body weight of the rats. Results: The liquid extract of VK2 doses had analgesic effect on acetic acide and themal-induced pain in the mice. The liquid extract of VK2 doses had also acute anti-inflammatory effect through inhibiting carrageenine-induced edema in the hind paw. Conclusion: VK2 had analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects on experimental animals.
VK2 ; analgesia ; anti-inflammatory

Background: Cystic hygromas is a common abnormal event in obstetrics ultrasound, which is induced by a chromosome disorder; it is also one of the major causes inducing fetus\u2019s congenital malformation. Objective: Determining chromosomal aberration in nuchal cystic hygromas by FISH technique and outcomes the value of factors in prognosis fetuses with cystic hygroma. Subject and methods: 53 fetuses with cystic hygroma, which are detected by ultrasound scan, are analyzed by FISH technique. Compare results of FISH, band G chromosomal analysis, ultrasonographic abnormalities, followed the fetuses. Results: Chromosomal and FISH analysis give the same detection: abnormal chromosomes: 75.46%, the highest rate is Turner syndrome: 50.94%, normal chromosome: 24.53%. Abnormal chromosomal fetuses: multi-malformation, grim prognosis. Cystic hygroma with other malformation in scan: high rate chromosomal aberrations and septated hygroma, Turner syndrome fetuses have large cystic hygroma, 4/6 fetuses with normal chromosome and without other abnormal result scan have resolutions of hygroma in the second trimester, normal birth. Conclusions: Abnormal chromosomes: 75.46%. Prognosis is grim: abnormal chromosomes, other malformations in scan, large cystic, septated hygroma. Prognosis is better: normal chromosomes, without other ultrasonographic abnormalities, small cystic, nonseptated hygroma, resolution of cystic hygroma.
cystic hygroma ; FISH technique ; chromosome

This paper has highlighted some key findings as follows: from 1991 - June 2007, there are 258 projects/programs in the health sector with the total amount of 1.543,07 million USD, in which the Ministry of Health directly manages 137 projects with a total amount of 1.114.93 million USD, accounting for 72.4% of the total ODA for the health sector. The grant aid funding accounts for 57%, loan accounts for 25.6% and mix aid modality account for 17.6%. ODA from bilateral agencies is 43%, from international banks account for 37% and from UN agencies is 20%. Grant aid is declining while the loan is on the rise. As compared with the government budget, ODA accounts for 12.09% -27.78% of government budget in different periods. Priority was given to preventive medicine areas rather than treatment areas. (31.8% compared with 24.5%), in which ODA for HIV/AIDS control is 27.8% in the total amount of ODA for preventive medicine. Some important area has not received anything due to the attention of donors, such as environmental health, tropical diseases control, non communicable diseases. ODA allocation is also not adequate in terms of regional distribution. Disadvantage areas received less than other regions.
Official Development Assistance (ODA)

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any detectable organic cause."Tu than hoan" is a traditional remedy applied for the treatment of syndromes of traditional medicine which have the similar characteristics to irritable bowel syndrome of diarrhea state of modern medicine. Objectives: The study had two purposes: (1)To evaluate the therapeutic effects of the remedy on the clinical symptoms of patients with irritable bowel syndrome of diarrhea state comparing with Duspatalin; (2)To evaluate the side effects of the remedy. Subjects and method:162 patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome of diarrhea state were treated at Bach Mai hospital from March to August 2005. They divided into 2 groups, the control group included 77 patients and the study group included 85 patients. : clinical test, comparing with controls. Results: 80% of patients recovered from diarrhea; 82.4% of patients with defecation returned to normal; 93.6% stopped mucous feces; 76.5% stopped bellyache. Good therapeutic effect was 61.2% (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Tu than hoan had good therapeutic effects in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome of diarrhea state. None of patients had to discontinue the medicine due to side effects. \r\n', u' \r\n', u'
Irritable Bowel Syndrome/ pathology ; therapy ; Medicine ; Traditional/ methods ; utilization

Background: Piperaquin (PQ) is an anti-malaria drug, which belong to bisquinoline class. Vietnam has successfully produced PQ (both base and phosphate) since 2004. Objective: To evaluate acute oral toxicities of Piperaquine phosphate and the fixed combination anti-malarial drug Dihydroartemisinin plus Piperaquine in mice. Subject and Method: This study was conducted at National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology between June and October, 2005. The acute oral toxicities of piperaquine phosphate (PQP) and the fixed combination anti-malaria drug (40 mg dihydroiutemisinin plus 320 mg piperaquine phosphate (DHA-PQP), with the materials produced by Institute of chemistry) in mice were investigated. Result: PQP had a medium toxicity. Inhibition of mice's central nervous systems was the main toxicity exhibition. At the high doses of PQP, mice's convulsion was observed before their deaths. The infralethal dose (LDo), absolute lethal dose (LD100) and mean lethal dose (LD50) of PQP were 900, 2300 and 1643.98 (1537.6 \u2013 1758.92) mg/kg, respectively. The fixed combination DHA-PQP had a less toxicity than PQP powder, with LDo, LD100 and LD50 were 1400, 2800 and 2050.06 (1943.63 \u2013 2157.14) mg per kg of body weight, respectively. Conclusion: At the high doses of DHA-PQP, this combination also inhibited mice's central nervous systems. Mice convulsed strongly before their deaths. All died mice were operated for observing visually their organs such as hearts, livers, kidneys, lungs, vesicles and intestines. No abnormal signals were found.
Piperaquine phosphate ; toxicity ; Dihydroartemisinin