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Objectives: to analyze changes in knowledge and practices regarding silicosis in groups of workers at high risk of silicosis before - after an intervention. Methods: The study was conducted from 2018 to 2019 based on structured questions related to knowledge and practices of silicosis of workers directly exposed to silica dust in a Northern province of Vietnam. The mobile app-based intervention was applied to steel workers, then compared with ironworkers in improvements in silicosis knowledge and practices. Results: Significant changes in the intervention group related to workers' knowledge about the signs suggestive of silicosis, disease consequences, measures to reduce the risk of silicosis, and participation in annual occupational disease examinations were reported. Conclusion: Mobile application-based interventions could improve silicosis knowledge and practice among workers at high risk of exposure to silica dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of heat-related illnesses (HRI) and their associated factors among rice farmers in Central Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a sample of 379 farmers from August to September 2021 in Ha Tinh province on the north-central coast of Vietnam. A structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic information, farming activities, heat exposure, and health issues. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with HRI. Results: At least one HRI symptom was experienced by 83.4% of farmers, and two or more HRI symptoms were experienced by 55.1% of farmers during the last harvesting season (the summer-autumn rice season, 2021). Factors significantly associated with HRI were age, having chronic diseases, type of farming tasks, the number of hours working in the heat, and water intake. Farmers working outdoors for more than 4 hours in the heat were 2.3 times [95%CI: 1.14–4.69] more likely to experience HRI than those working fewer than 2 hours. A higher risk of HRI was also associated with heavy farming tasks (OR = 2.35, [1.34–4.14]), having hypertension (OR = 3.75, [1.90–7.81]), cardiovascular diseases (OR = 2.53, [1.03–6.93]), and other chronic conditions (OR = 2.51, [1.51–4.25]). In contrast, a lower risk of HRI was found in the older group (OR = 0.44, [0.22–0.87]) and increased water intake (OR = 0.46, [0.27–0.77]). Conclusions: Hot weather is a significant occupational health risk for farmers in Vietnam. Changing the working schedule, working in shorter intervals, and remaining well-hydrated should be considered in HRI prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the burden of child injury based on presentations at Viet Duc Hospital, the leading trauma hospital in Vietnam, between March and October 2006. Methods: Standardised injury surveillance data were collected on all children aged less than 19 years who presented and were treated at Viet Duc Hospital. Injuries were classified by lCD-10 and severity was determined by RTS and MS. Results: 74,762 patients were examined in the hospital during the seven-month duration of the study. Patients included 25,165 emergencies, of which 30% were due to non-trauma. The remaining 17,643 were due to trauma, accounting for 70% of cases. Among these cases, there were 2,536 injured children aged 18 and under, accounting for 14.37% of all cases. Conclusion: Injury is a leading cause of death and disability in Viet Nam, especially in children. The results of this surveillance indicate the need for ongoing injury surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Injurysurveillance, a key to injuryprevention, is the systematic collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of data on injury-related events for use in public health action to reduce morbidity and mortality and to improve health. The first injury surveillance was successfully implemented in a few pilot hospitals in Vietnam. Viet Duc Hospital, one of the leading centers of surgery and trauma in Vietnam, was one of these and has implemented an injury surveillance program. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from all cases of injuries treated and admitted to Viet Duc Hospital, including death data. The surveillance was conducted during the period from 26 March 2006 to 26 October 2006. Results: Data collected over 7 months in 2006 at Viet Duc Hospital showed 17,643 cases of injury treated in the emergency department, representing 70% of all emergencies. 989 patients died due to injury within 7 days, representing 5.6% of all injuries. Surveillance was conducted on 5,468 cases, in which men outnumbered women by a ratio of 3:1 and the highest proportion of patients were between 20 to 50 years of age. Patients referred from provinces accounted for 73% of cases. The highest categories of morbidity were among students and farmers who accounted for 22% and 25%. The largest numbers of injuries were to the head and face at 40%, second were to the extremities at 38%. Critical injuries accounted for only 2.6% of cases and serious injuries for only 3% based on Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scaling. 30% received first aid at provincial hospitals and 23% at district hospitals. 38% of victims were transported by ambulance, 32% were accompanied by health workers. Traffic-related accidents accounted for 63% of all injuries, among which 74% of cases were from motorbike accidents. Motorbike drivers were injured in 70% of traffic cases. Only 5% of drivers were wearing helmets. Conclusions: In order to prevent injury as well as to reduce the mortality rate, data on injuries should be collected accurately and completely. Despite the challenges of implementing the first surveillance of injury in a hospital, the results are successful and informative in determining the epidemiology of injury, and providing accurate morbidity and mortality data. The value of hospital trauma registry as a major research tool is increasingly recognized because of its role in improving care of trauma patients and bringing about better resource utilization. Purpose: Injury surveillance, a key to injury prevention, is the systematic collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of data on injury-related events for use in public health action to reduce morbidity and mortality and to improve health. The first injury surveillance was successfully implemented in a few pilot hospitals in Vietnam. Viet Duc Hospital, one of the leading centers of surgery and trauma in Vietnam, was one of these and has implemented an injury surveillance program. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from all cases of injuries treated and admitted to Viet Duc Hospital, including death data. The surveillance was conducted during the period from 26 March 2006 to 26 October 2006. Results: Data collected over 7 months in 2006 at Viet Duc Hospital showed 17,643 cases of injury treated in the emergency department, representing 70% of all emergencies. 989 patients died due to injury within 7 days, representing 5.6% of all injuries. Surveillance was conducted on 5,468 cases, in which men outnumbered women by a ratio of 3:1 and the highest proportion of patients were between 20 to 50 years of age. Patients referred from provinces accounted for 73% of cases. The highest categories of morbidity were among students and farmers who accounted for 22% and 25%.… [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]