Search

This study analyzes the dynamic connectedness (i.e., spillovers and spillbacks) of financial stress across advanced and emerging economies. As proxy for financial stress, we reconstruct the financial stress index (FSI) for 16 advanced economies and 15 emerging economies from January 1997 to August 2020. The constructed FSIs reflect combined stress level in banking sectors, equity markets, capital markets and exchange rate markets. Using frameworks proposed by Diebold and Yilmaz (Better to give than to receive: Predictive directional measurement of volatility spillovers. International Journal of Forecasting, 28(1), 57–66) and Baruník and Křehlík (Measuring the frequency dynamics of financial connectedness and systemic risk. Journal of Financial Econometrics, 16(2), 271–296), we find that there is strong connectedness of financial stress across economies. Moreover, the connectedness of the financial stress is stronger after the global financial crisis and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the spillover of shocks is strongest in the short-term horizon, the spillovers in the longer-term horizons are not trivial. Our results also show that the US is the largest shock transmitter as well as one of the largest shock receivers. Our results also suggest that shocks originating in advanced economies have strong effects on other economies, but shocks originating in emerging economies also play an increasing role. Global factors such as global economic policy uncertainty and geopolitical risks influence the magnitude of the spillover of financial stress.

This study aims to explore the effects of intimate partner violence during pregnancy (p-IPV) on postpartum depression among women in central Vietnam. p-IPV was defined among 150 women aged 18 years and older in the third trimester of their pregnancy. Baseline data was collected between February and May 2019, and then those women were followed up to 3-5 months after childbirth to assess depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data collection was completed in September 2019. Relative risk was estimated to identify the effect of p-IPV on maternal postpartum depression. Twenty-one women reported IPV during pregnancy. In the follow-up assessment, 8 of 21 mothers exposed to p-IPV and 23 of 127 mothers not exposed to p-IPV developed postpartum depression. p-IPV including emotional and physical violence were increased the risk of postpartum depression. The findings support evidence that p-IPV increases the risk of postpartum depression among women in central Vietnam.

Background This study evaluated the psychometric properties of three self-reported scales including WHO Well-Being Index (WHO-5), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items (PHQ-9), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) for determining the severity of antenatal depression and suicide risk. Methods Extracted from a multi-site birth cohort study in eight countries, we test the reliability and validity of tri-scales among 148 women in the third trimester and 3-months after childbirth in Vietnam. Results Reliability testing achieved good internal consistency for the set of scales (Alpha = 0.75–0.81). The multitrait-multimethods matrix and SEM model indicated a good fit [Chi-square (230) = 337.5, p Conclusions This present study suggested adequate validity and reliability of the WHO-5, PHQ9 and PSS to measure antenatal depression and suicide risk in Vietnam. Key messages Further studies might consider to use one or a set of scales to understand multiple domains of mental disorder as it is simple to administer and acceptable duration for completion in the community.

Despite the detrimental effects and life-course health consequences of violence exposure, relatively few studies have adequate capacity to investigate the evolution of violence from childhood to motherhood.This study aims to examine the cyclical nature of childhood abuse and prenatal inter-partner violent victimization (p-IPV) and its adverse impact on childbirth trauma and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice in Vietnam.Using a prospective birth cohort, 150 pregnant women were recruited in the third trimester of pregnancy in Hue city in central Vietnam (Wave 1-Baseline) and re-interviewed approximately three months after delivery (Wave 2-Follow-up). The direct and indirect effects of violent victimization on subsequent childbirth experience (measured by Birth Memories and Recall Questionnaire) and EBF practice were estimated by using augmented-inverse-probability-weighted models, sensitivity analysis, and structural equation model.Detrimental and prolonged effects of the inter-generational cycle of violence transverse childhood to motherhood. Women who experienced either childhood abuse or p-IPV violence were more likely to experience negative emotional childbirth memories [ARR 1.21, 95 % CI (1.04, 1.39)]. Evidence also suggested that not continuing to exclusively breastfeed at 3 months post-partum was strongly associated with prenatal depression, young age, and perceived low social status during pregnancy. Perceived strong connectedness among extended family members and social networks (i.e. nexus among family, friends, and neighborhood) provided a buffering effect by preventing EBF termination.This research provides insights into the protective role of social connectedness in improving breastfeeding practice. It is vital to establish wholistic antenatal care and social service system to offer specialized support and response for victims of violence and mitigate the long-term sequelae of traumatic events.

Iran – Saudi Arabia’s rivalry hasbeen behind conflicts and instabilities in the region. However, the politicalnature of this rivalry is often over-simplified by mainstream media outlets.Similarly, a major part of literature on identity politics in Iran – SaudiArabia’s rivalry has mainly provided a comprehensive and descriptive account oftheir history as well as current conditions with ethnic and sectarianidentities as roots and origins of regional instabilities; or focused mainly onthe politicization and manipulation of Sunni and Shia Islam by actors in theirstruggles for power.Synthesizing the theories onidentity politics already in existence, namely Primordialism, instrumentalism,and social constructivism, this research constructed an integrated theoreticalmodel. In this model, sectarian identity - one essence intrinsic to MiddleEastern societies and constructed alongside regional history – is not onlymeasured by its tremendous influences on political processes; but also comparedin the usage of political actors of all levels in political practices., Ortadoğu bölgesindeki çatışma ve istikrarsızlıkortamının ardında İran - Suudi Arabistan rekabeti bulunmaktadır. Bununlabirlikte bu rekabetin politik doğası, çoğunlukla ana akım medya tarafındanaşırı derecede basitleştirilmiştir. Benzer biçimde İran – Suudi Arabistanrekabetinin içindeki kimlik politikaları üzerine yazılmış literatürün büyük birkısmı bölgesel istikrarsızlıkların kökeni ve kaynağını ağırlıklı olaraktarihlerinin genel ve betimleyici bir hesabını sunmuş veya oyuncuların iktidarmücadeleleri içerisinde Sünni ve Şii İslam’ın politikleşmesine vemanipülasyonuna odaklanmıştır. Halen mevcut olan kimlik politikaları üzerine teorileri sentezleyen, yaniPrimordializm, araçsallık, ve sosyal inşacılık, bu araştırmanın teorik modelinioluşturmaktadır. Bu modelde, mezhepsel kimlik – Ortadoğu toplumlarının ve yanısıra bölgesel tarihin bir gerçeği olarak – sadece politik süreçler üzerinemuazzam etkileri ölçülmedi, ayrıca politikuygulamalarda her düzeydeki politik aktörlerin kullanımıyla karşılaştırılmıştır.

Funder: Jacobs Foundation; FundRef: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100003986, Funder: University of Cambridge School of Social Sciences Research Support Fund, Funder: British Academy; FundRef: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000286, Funder: Consuelo Foundation, the Philippines, Funder: UBS Optimus Foundation; FundRef: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100008391, Funder: Queensland University of Technology; FundRef: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100001793, To date, little attention has been given to prenatal depression, especially in low and middle-income countries. The aim of this research was to assess the prevalence of depression and its associated factors amongst pregnant women in a central Vietnamese city. This cross-sectional study included 150 pregnant women from 29 to 40 weeks of gestation, from eight wards of Hue city, via quota sampling from February to May 2019. We employed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess depression. Findings suggest the need to provide routine screening of pregnant women in primary care for depressive symptoms and other mental health problems.

Background In many countries, there is limited consideration of the psychological wellbeing of women during antenatal and postnatal care. Among a range of contributing factors, one practical reason is that brief, valid and reliable screening tools are not widely used to guide clinical interviews. The present study evaluated psychometric properties of three brief scales that measure recent wellbeing (the WHO-5 index), perceived stress (the PSS-10) and depression (the PHQ-9). Methods A prospective birth cohort study was completed in Hue City, central Vietnam with 148 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy, with follow-up 3–5 months after childbirth. Moderate-to-severe antenatal depressive symptoms were used as the reference standard to validate the WHO-5 and PSS-10. Results Approximately one-third of the women indicated significant stress and 12% reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms during pregnancy. The WHO-5 and PSS had good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.76–0.81) and good discriminant properties against prenatal depression. Area Under the Curve (AUC) values showed good predictive validity to detect postpartum depressive symptoms for the WHO-5 [AUC=0.73, 95% CI (0.60 – 0.86)] and the PSS-10 [AUC=0.69, 95% CI (0.45 – 0.92)]. WHO-5 scores ≤ 60/100 and PSS-10 scores ≥ 20/40 provided good sensitivity (approx.83%) and fair specificity (approx.61%) to detect depression pre- and post-natally. Conclusions Given these satisfactory psychometric properties, brief but broad screening that includes questions about positive wellbeing and recent stress in addition to depressive symptoms should be integrated into routine psychosocial care for pregnant women in Vietnam and similar cultural contexts.

Background: The study is to measure eHealth literacy of medical students at a university in central Vietnam and to examine factors influencing their skills. Material and Method: This is a cross-sectional study. Data were collected through the self-administered structured questionnaire of 410 students who were randomly selected among general medical students and preventive medicine students in the fifth year at Hue University. The eHealth literacy scale was developed on the basis of eHEALS to measure skills for seeking and utilizing sources of eHealth information. Multiple linear regression model was used to identify factors influencing their eHealth literacy. Results: The study found that the general mean score for eHealth literacy among participants is 27.03 (SD = 3.54). Factors influencing eHealth literacy are genders (p=0.001), training program (p=0.013), computer skills (p=0.031) and purpose of seeking and using medical information (p

Background A social health insurance (SHI) program was implemented in Vietnam in 1992. Participation is compulsory for some groups, such as formal-sector workers, and voluntary for other groups. In 2013, 68% of the total population was covered by SHI, with most enrollees from compulsory groups. Enrollment has remained low among persons whose enrollment is voluntary. As a result, households face financial risk due to high out-of-pocket payments for health care. The goal of this study is to identify willingness to pay (WTP) for the SHI scheme among persons whose enrollment is voluntary and to examine factors that influence their choice. Method Three hundred thirty-one (331) uninsured persons from three districts and one city of Thua Thien Hue province were interviewed face to face using a structured questionnaire. Contingent valuation technique was used to assess the WTP among the study participants. Each individual was asked to choose the maximum premium they were willing to pay for a health insurance card per year with three copayment levels of 0%, 10%, and 20%. Seven premium levels were offered ranging from 0 Vietnamese Dong (VND) to 900,000 VND (42.12 USD). The mean WTP of respondents for each scenario was estimated. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing WTP for SHI. Results The survey found that 73.1%, 72.2%, and 71.6%, respectively for each copayment level, of the respondents would agree to participate in the SHI scheme and are willing to pay an annual premium of 578,926 VND (27.1 USD); 473,222 VND (22.1 USD); and 401,266 VND (18.8 USD) at the copayment levels of 0%, 10%, and 20%, respectively. The WTP for SHI is influenced by knowledge of SHI at all copayment levels (p value < 0.05). The more knowledge about SHI individuals have, the higher the WTP amount. Chronic disease was related to WTP only at a copayment level of 20% (p = 0.049). Conclusion Enhanced awareness of the benefits of SHI among the population should contribute to expanding SHI coverage in Vietnam.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a screening program for breast cancer from the health care payers' perspective. Methods A Markov model was used to compare costs and effects of an annual screening program using clinical breast examination (CBE) with the absence of screening on a cohort of 4,103,285 asymptomatic women aged 40 years. The model was analyzed over the cohort's lifetime under the assumption that women participated in the screening program annually for 15 years. The model integrated both epidemiological and cost data for breast cancer from prior Vietnamese studies. Costs were measured in 2008 US dollars. Costs and effects were discounted annually at 3%. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was defined as the difference in cost per life-years saved (LYS). One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were implemented to assess the uncertainty of inputs. Results The ICER for the breast cancer screening program with CBE was US $994.96 per LYS compared with the absence of screening. Earlier initiation of the program at age 35 years increased the ICER to US $1196.68 per LYS, while extending the duration of time screened to age 60 years decreased the ICER. Changing the participation rate to 70%, reducing the specificity of CBE testing, and increasing the cost of the screening program by 30% raised ICER estimates to US $1419.32, US $1124.15, and US $1292.03 per LYS, respectively. Conclusion Breast cancer screening with CBE for women aged 40 to 55 years is considered very cost-effective in Vietnam according to the World Health Organization criteria.