Search

Truc Thanh Thai,1 Thinh Huu Nguyen,2 Phuong Thu Thi Pham,3 Han Hy Thi Bui,4 Tam Ngoc Minh Bui2 1Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 2Training and Scientific Research Department, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 3Hospital for Rehabilitation - Occupational Diseases at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 4Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Hanoi, VietnamCorrespondence: Truc Thanh ThaiFaculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamTel +84 908 381 266Email thaithanhtruc@ump.edu.vnTam Ngoc Minh BuiTraining and Scientific Research Department, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamTel +84 906 951 668Email tam.bnm@umc.edu.vnPurpose: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are a crucial resource in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic but are vulnerable to both SARS-CoV-2 infection and negative psychological consequences. This study evaluated HCWs’ emotions, stressor experiences and coping strategies during the pandemic.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs at the University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City. The questionnaire was adapted from the MERS-CoV Staff Questionnaire to measure HCWs’ emotions, stressor experiences and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: Among the 1423 participants eligible in the data analysis, the majority were female (71.1%) with a mean age of 34.2 (standard deviation 7.8) years. While most participants reported that they did their job because of their professionalism and duty as HCWs (87.4%), a high number reported feeling nervous and scared (86.0%). Most participants reported worry about transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to their families or friends (76.6%) and concern that a small mistake or lapse in concentration could infect themselves and others (76.7%). The most common coping strategies were following strict personal protective measures (95.3%), avoiding going out (92.5%) and reading about SARS-CoV-2 (92.3%). Females who had a higher educational level and less than 5-years work experience and those who worked at clinical departments and subclinical departments were more vulnerable.Conclusion: This study indicates an urgent need for psychological support for HCWs, especially for those at high risk of having stress. Interventions and support should utilize psychological resources and approaches effectively to adapt to the new situation during the COVID-19 pandemic.Keywords: stressor experience, coping strategy, motivational factors, health care worker, COVID-19

To date, little are known about HIV-related stigma, symptoms of depression (SOD) and suicidal ideation among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Vietnam. This study aimed to estimate the level of stigma, SOD and suicidal ideation and to explore the direction and magnitude of the relationship between stigma, SOD and suicidal ideation among Vietnamese PLHIV. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four outpatient clinics providing healthcare services including antiretroviral therapy (ART) for PLHIV in Ho Chi Minh City. At each clinic, patients were chosen using the systematic sampling technique. Participants underwent face-to-face interviews through a pre-defined structural questionnaire that included validated scales. Among 777 PLHIV in the analysis, most were male (81.1%) and the average age was 34.3 (SD = 8.8) years. Two-thirds of PLHIV had a moderate-to-high level of HIV stigma. Symptoms of depression were identified in 41.4% of PLHIV. Suicidal ideation was reported by 26.3% of PLHIV. Based on univariate and multivariate logistic regression, higher levels of SOD and HIV stigma were positively associated with suicidal ideation. For PLHIV with extreme stigma and SOD, the probability of having suicidal ideation was up to 80%. The prevalence and association found in this study indicates that interventions for SOD and stigma not only help reduce these two problems but also help address and minimize suicidal ideation in this vulnerable population. In Vietnam, to optimize such interventions, the involvement of families and communities is crucial.

A high prevalence of mental disorders in adolescents has been reported worldwide, but little is known about mental health literacy in this population, particularly in developing countries. The goal of this study was to evaluate mental health literacy level and help-seeking preferences in high school students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. These two variables were also compared between students who had stress, anxiety and depression with students who did not. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1094 students across 27 classes at three high schools. Students completed a self-report questionnaire that included validated scales such as the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) and the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire. Based on the DASS-21, the prevalence of students reporting symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety was 36.1%, 39.8% and 59.8%, respectively. The mean MHLS score was 104.12 (SD = 10.09) and was significantly lower in students who had symptoms of depression. The most common help-seeking preferences for mental illness were friends, classmates and relatives or family members. Help-seeking preferences were almost identical among students with stress, anxiety or depression. While Vietnamese high school students had high levels of symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety and moderate levels of mental health literacy, non-professionals were preferred as their first help-seeking choice. Our findings revealed the need for routine school-based mental health screening and referral activities as well as mental health education programs for high school students in Vietnam.

Thinh H Nguyen,1,* Truc T Thai,2,* Phuong TT Pham,2 Tam NM Bui,1 Han HT Bui,3 Bac Hoang Nguyen1 1Training and Scientific Research Department, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 2Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 3Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Truc T ThaiFaculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, 217 Hong Bang Street, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamTel +84 908 381 266Email thaithanhtruc@ump.edu.vnPurpose: Continuing medical education (CME) is a compulsory requirement for every health professional. However, to date, little is known about the effectiveness of CME in Vietnam. This study assessed CME programs based on attendees’ perception and evaluation.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during a five-month period in all 62 CME courses at a university hospital. A self-report, anonymous questionnaire was distributed to the participants during the course and was collected at the end of the course. The questionnaire included questions about demographic characteristics, experiences during the course and participants’ perception and evaluation as measured by the 19-item Program Evaluation Instrument (PEI). A higher score on the PEI indicates a higher level of positive reaction toward CME programs.Results: Among 1312 participants in the analysis, the majority were females (58.1%) with a mean age of 34.5 (SD = 10.6) years. Almost all participants had good, positive perceptions toward CME. However, about 5% of participants reported CME a waste of time. Participants reported a high score on the PEI (95.0± 8.9) and all four dimensions including program objectives (20.7± 2.2), learner’s objectives (18.8± 2.3), teacher’s behavior (25.7± 2.7) and program satisfaction (29.7± 3.4). While there was no association between demographic characteristics and PEI score, attendance rate during the courses and perceptions toward CME were positively associated with PEI score.Conclusion: CME programs receive positive reaction and evaluation from healthcare professionals and are helpful in providing and updating knowledge, attitude and practice in Vietnam. However, further studies are needed in other settings and specialties to fully understand the effectiveness of CME in Vietnam.Keywords: effectiveness, perception, evaluation, continuing medical education, health professional, Vietnam

Truc Thanh Thai,1 Mairwen K Jones,2 Thao Phuong Nguyen,1 Thao Van Pham,1 Han Hy Thi Bui,3 Loan Xuan Kim,1 Tap Van Nguyen4 1Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam; 2Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; 3Woolcock Institute of Medical Research Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 4Department of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh, VietnamCorrespondence: Truc Thanh ThaiFaculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamTel +84 908381266Email thaithanhtruc@ump.edu.vnTap Van NguyenDepartment of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh, VietnamTel +84 914064340Email nvtap@tvu.edu.vnPurpose: Research conducted across different countries has consistently identified non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) to be a common and significant public health problem. This study examined the prevalence, associated factors and functions of NSSI, among a large sample of Vietnamese adolescents.Methods: A total of 1316 high school students (15– 18 years old, 63.3% female) across urban and suburban areas in Ho Chi Minh City, participated in this cross-sectional study. NSSI was assessed by the Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation.Results: Almost half (43.9%) of the adolescents engaged in at least one type of NSSI within the preceding 12-month period and more than one quarter (26.1%) engaged in multiple types of NSSI. Hitting self on purpose (23.1%), picking at a wound (17.0%), or biting self (16.7%) were the most frequent behaviours. Severe forms of NSSI such as scraping, burning or erasing skin were reported by 17.2%. The most common functions for NSSI were to stop bad feelings (56.0%), to punish self (48.7%), to get control of a situation (44.0%) and to feel relaxed (42.2%). Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were significant factors associated with NSSI, particularly for participants who engaged in moderate/severe NSSI and multiple types of NSSI.Conclusion: High rates of NSSI were found in Vietnamese adolescents. There is a pressing need for the development and implementation of effective interventions to reduce NSSI. Strategies that promote positive mental health and reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress as well as approaches that help adolescents manage their internal emotions are likely to be beneficial.Keywords: non-suicidal self-injury, functions, high school students, adolescents, associated factors, Vietnam

Exposing to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has been identified as one of the major contributing factors to poor mental health and suicide in adolescents. However, little is known about this relationship in Vietnamese adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ACEs on depression, psychological distress and suicidal thought among Vietnamese adolescents across different areas in Vietnam. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted among 4957 secondary school and high school students aged 13-20 in urban area, rural area, border area and mountainous area. The students were asked to complete a self-report questionnaire which included the Center for Epidemiological studies - Depression, the Kessler-10 and ACE questionnaire from the WHO Adverse Childhood Experiences Study. Suicidal thought was evaluated by a single question from the U.S. Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Among 4720 students included in the analysis, 54.4% were female. The prevalence of depression, psychological distress and suicidal thought was 22.9%, 30.6% and 10.9% respectively. About 86% of participants experienced at least one type of ACEs and nearly 56% reported multiple types of ACEs. Students with four or more types of ACEs had 6.98 (95% CI 5.09 -9.56), 4.72 (95 % CI 3.58-6.23) and 6.43 (95 % CI 4.45-9.30) times higher in odds of having depression, psychological distress and suicidal thought respectively. In conclusion, ACEs are common in Vietnamese adolescents and are strongly associated with depression, psychological distress and suicidal thought. Our finding indicates urgent needs for interventions targeting both ACEs and depression, psychological distress in Vietnamese adolescents.