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Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is almost always induced by some oncogenic types of human papillomavirus (HPV). In Vietnam, it is the first leading cause of cancer in women, with highest prevalence in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Since 2006, prevention of the CC has been improved by licensure of recombinant vaccines directed against HPV 16 and 18, effective when administered before the age of first sexual intercourse. A national program for routine immunization of pre-adolescent girls in addition to cytological screening of adult women would greatly reduce the impact of CC in Vietnam but vaccines remain expensive and it is unclear how this strategy would be accepted by the target population. The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability of HPV vaccination by pediatricians, mothers with a daughter aged 9-15 years and young women aged 16-26 years in HCMC., Methods: Between March and June 2010, a cross-sectional survey of knowledge and attitudes was administered to 115 pediatricians in the pediatric hospital, 210 mothers and 400 young women attending the gynecology department of the University Hospital., Results: Pediatricians generally had a good perception of the risk but they still lacked knowledge about HPV vaccination, given by 66% of them. Among mothers, 18% knew the relationship between HPV infection and CC, 43% had heard of HPV vaccination and 40% agreed to vaccinate their daughter. Among young women, 35% knew the risk, 49% knew the vaccine and 38% wanted to be vaccinated. Level of education, amount of income and celibacy were positively related to intention to be vaccinated. The lack of information on HPV vaccination and the high cost of vaccines were the main causes of refusal or indecision., Conclusion: Routine HPV vaccination of girls in HCMC will be well accepted by the population if a large campaign of health education is implemented by the government and if the affordability of vaccines is facilitated., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Respiratory symptoms and lung function of 80 coal workers suspected of pneumoconiosis (pulmonary X-rays classified 0/1 or 1/0 according to International Labour Organisation classification) who worked for at least 10 years at face work (Ts) were studied in comparison with two control groups matched by age (+/- 2 years), height (+/- 5 cm), weight (+/- 10 kg) and smoking habits: the Tn group constituted by 80 coal workers who worked for at least 10 years at face work with normal pulmonary X-rays, and the HTn group constituted by 80 underground miners who worked mainly out of face work with normal pulmonary X-rays. The frequencies of cough, expectoration, chronic bronchitis or dyspnoea were significantly higher in Ts group than in the two others. The one-second forced expiratory volume to vital capacity ratio (FEV1/VC) was lower, closing volume to vital capacity (CV/VC) or to total lung capacity ratios (CV/TLC) were higher in Ts group than in the control groups. Unexpectedly, vital capacity (VC), one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), total lung capacity (TLC), compliance, diffusing capacity (DLCO) referred to alveolar volume (VA) were higher. In Ts group, the small rounded opacities were noted in the top part of the lung (56.9%), the irregular ones were distributed on the entire lung (65.5%). There were no relation between the category of small opacities and respiratory symptoms or lung function.

An epidemiological study of 1,178 iron-mine workers in the Lorraine basin was conducted in order to assess the long-term effects on the respiratory system of low concentrations of noxious gases produced by the machinery and explosives in use. The subjects were selected at random from 5,300 workers who were aged between 35 and 55, had been in the mines for at least five years and who were free from radiological abnormalities such as siderosis, tuberculosis, fractured ribs, etc. For each subject a standard questionnaire (E.C.S.C. bronchitis/emphysema questionnaire) was completed and a clinical examination was performed along with the following tests-vital capacity; forced expiratory volume in 1 second; residual volume; acetylcholine test; steady state CO test for calculation of total and partial transfer functions. A venous blood sample for the determination of blood CO was taken as the subject left his place of work.

In an epidemiological study on the respiratory pathology of 1 100 iron miners, the alpha 1 protease inhibitor concentration (alpha 1 Pi) and the elastase inhibitory capacity (EIC) of serum were determined in 97 men with deficient Pi phenotype (73 MS, 24 MZ or S) compared with PiM non deficient men adjusted for age and tobacco consumption. There were differences in alpha 1 Pi concentration and in alpha 1 inhibitory capacity between phenotype groups in agreement with the results of other studies. Smoking produces an increase of serum alpha 1 Pi concentration and EIC in all Pi phenotype groups. This increase is more important (30%) in the MS group than in the others (MZ 20%, M 12%). This effect which appears to be related to smoking intensity does not seem to have a link with an alteration or a modification of the molecular function which is at a rate of 70% in all cases.

In the occupational environments air pollutants may be of different natures (chemical, mineral, etc.) and forms (particles, gas, etc.). Except in some acute circumstances the respiratory diseases need several years to develop. These diseases may be specific, caused by a particular pollutant (i.e.: silicosis, asbestos) or non specific (i.e.: chronic bronchitis). Epidemiological studies are well-adapted tools for the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of the pathological processes. They may also lead to efficient preventive action, treatment or compensation. For each of these 3 points (knowledge, understanding, action) one must keep in mind specificities of the respiratory diseases which may be different from one to the other with respect to etiological factors, varieties of disordered structure and function. One also must keep in mind the specificities of the place where the studies will be conducted (large or small factories, professional groups, specific or miscellaneous hazards), the research teams with different skills and competences, the relational problems with the managers, the workers, the unions, the occupational physician, etc. Some particular comments are given about the definition of the disease, the ways of examination methods, the population to be studied and controlled, the evaluation of hazards, the relationships between disease and risk factors.

42 normal male subjects from 19 to 27 years, are examined in conditions of field studies once a week for 9 weeks. At each session are measured: flow volume curves with determination of vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1.0), peak flow (V peak), flows at 0.75, 0.50, 0.25 of VC (V 0.75 VC, V 0.50 VC, V 0.25 VC). Single breath nitrogen test, with determination of slope of phase III (delta N2/liter) and closing volume/vital capacity (CV/VC). Single breath and steady state tests with carbon monoxide. Variability of functional pulmonary indices in this study is greater than those observed in the literature during shorter period of term. Some indices varied significantly during these 9 weeks of observation like V 0.25 CV, indices of transfer factor of CO and CV/VC (according to repetition of test or meteorologic factors?). Relevance of studying variations during a relatively long period, is pointed out in interpretation of results observed in prospective studies.