@utas.edu.au
Menzies Institute for Medical Research
University of Tasmania
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Valery L Feigin, Mayowa O Owolabi, Valery L Feigin, Foad Abd-Allah, Rufus O Akinyemi, Natalia V Bhattacharjee, Michael Brainin, Jackie Cao, Valeria Caso, Bronte Dalton,et al.
Elsevier BV
Thang Nghia Hoang, Thuy Phuong Nguyen, Mai Phuong Pham, Hue Kim Le Nguyen, Hieng H, Y Dech Buonya, Tram Dinh Le, and Chaisiri Angkurawaranon
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Abstract Introduction Vietnam aims for 95% of commune health stations (CHSs) to have functional hypertension management programs by 2025. However, limited resources may impede the Central Highland region health system from achieving this goal. We assessed the availability and readiness of hypertension management services at CHSs in the Central Highland region and identified challenges to facilitate evidence-based planning. Methods We used a mixed-methods cross-sectional design to assess hypertension management services using WHO’s service availability and readiness assessment (SARA) tools in all 579 CHSs in the region, combined with twenty in-depth interviews of hypertension program focal points at communal, district, and provincial levels in all four provinces. We descriptively analyzed quantitative data and thematically analyzed qualitative data. Results Hypertension management services were available at 65% of CHSs, and the readiness of the services was 62%. The urban areas had higher availability and readiness indices in most domains (basic amenities, basic equipment, and essential medicines) compared to rural areas, except for staff and training. The qualitative results showed a lack of trained staff and ambiguity in national hypertension treatment guidelines, insufficient essential medicines supply mechanism, and low priority and funding limitations for the hypertension program. Conclusion The overall availability and readiness for hypertension diagnosis and management service at CHSs in the Central Highland region were low, reflecting inadequate capacity of the primary healthcare facilities. Some measures to strengthen hypertension programs in the region might include increased financial support, ensuring a sufficient supply of basic medicines, and providing more specific treatment guidelines.
T. P. Nguyen, C. Stirling, G. Kitsos, L. Nichols, R. Chandra, S. Rehman, Karen Smith, I. Mosley, L. Lai, H. Asadi,et al.
Alexander Willem Copper, Rolf Scharfbillig, Thuy Phuong Nguyen, and Cassandra Collins
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Abstract Background The Australian wine industry is a valuable part of the wider Australian economy worth approximately A$45 billion annually and employs 163,790 people either full time or part time. Australian agricultural industries are amongst the nation’s most dangerous workplaces with joint, ligament, muscle and tendon injuries being commonplace along with wounds, lacerations and musculoskeletal diseases. It is therefore important to try and minimise the risk of injuries to workers. The aims of this study were to (1) identify whether lower limb problems occur in the Australian wine industry and (2) identify the types of safety footwear worn. Methods Participants were recruited from the Australian wine industry. The study was a cross-sectional anonymous survey of 82 questions with n = 207 respondents. Questions related to job role performed, types of lower limb problems experienced, level of pain, restriction of activities, types of footwear worn, general health and physical health. Results The main working roles were winery (73.4%), vineyard (52.2%), laboratory (39.6%), cellar door (32.4%) and office (8.2%), with 63.3% of participants working in more than one role. Lower back pain was the most commonly reported problem at 56% followed by foot pain (36.7%), knee pain (24.6%), leg pain (21.3%), ankle pain (17.9%), hip pain (15.5%), toe pain (13%) and heel pain (11.1%). The most popular footwear used by participants were elastic sided safety boots, followed by high cut lace up safety boots with side zip. Overall, although the pain experienced was moderate, it did not impact the workers ability to perform their duties and the majority self-reported as being in very good general and physical health. Conclusion To date no data have been published on the types of lower limb problems or the types of safety footwear worn in the Australian wine industry. This study is the first to demonstrate that elastic sided safety boots were the most popular amongst respondents and that lower limb problems occur with workers. Therefore, further research into the safety footwear used in the Australian wine industry is needed to better support workers health while working in their varied roles and conditions.
Long Viet Bui, Son Thai Ha, Ha Ngoc Nguyen, Truong Thanh Nguyen, Thuy Phuong Nguyen, Kien Tran, Tuyen Van Tran, Tu Huu Nguyen, Thong Huy Tran, Nghiem Duc Pham,et al.
Frontiers Media SA
Emerging from early of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the most serious health crisis globally. In response to such threat, a wide range of digital health applications has been deployed in Vietnam to strengthen surveillance, risk communication, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19. Digital health has brought enormous benefits to the fight against COVID-19, however, numerous constrains in digital health application remain. Lack of strong governance of digital health development and deployment; insufficient infrastructure and staff capacity for digital health application are among the main drawbacks. Despite several outstanding problems, digital health is expected to contribute to reducing the spread, improving the effectiveness of pandemic control, and adding to the dramatic transformation of the health system the post-COVID era.
Long V. Bui, Ha T. Nguyen, Hagai Levine, Ha N. Nguyen, Thu-Anh Nguyen, Thuy P. Nguyen, Truong T. Nguyen, Toan T. T. Do, Ngoc T. Pham, and My Hanh Bui
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Objective To estimate the incubation period of Vietnamese confirmed COVID-19 cases. Methods Only confirmed COVID-19 cases who are Vietnamese and locally infected with available data on date of symptom onset and clearly defined window of possible SARS-CoV-2 exposure were included. We used three parametric forms with Hamiltonian Monte Carlo method for Bayesian Inference to estimate incubation period for Vietnamese COVID-19 cases. Leave-one-out Information Criterion was used to assess the performance of three models. Results A total of 19 cases identified from 23 Jan 2020 to 13 April 2020 was included in our analysis. Average incubation periods estimated using different distribution model ranged from 6.0 days to 6.4 days with the Weibull distribution demonstrated the best fit to the data. The estimated mean of incubation period using Weibull distribution model was 6.4 days (95% credible interval (CrI): 4.89–8.5), standard deviation (SD) was 3.05 (95%CrI 3.05–5.30), median was 5.6, ranges from 1.35 to 13.04 days (2.5th to 97.5th percentiles). Extreme estimation of incubation periods is within 14 days from possible infection. Conclusion This analysis provides evidence for an average incubation period for COVID-19 of approximately 6.4 days. Our findings support existing guidelines for 14 days of quarantine of persons potentially exposed to SARS-CoV-2. Although for extreme cases, the quarantine period should be extended up to three weeks.
Thuy Phuong Nguyen, Hung N. Luu, Mai Vu Tuyet Nguyen, Mo Thi Tran, Thuy Thi Van Tuong, Chi Thi Du Tran, and Paolo Boffetta
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
PURPOSE Vietnam is undergoing rapid socio-economic transition with an increasing cancer burden. The contribution of modifiable risk factors to cancers in Vietnam has not been studied. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the attributable causes of cancer in Vietnam. METHODS We reviewed the data on burden of cancer in Vietnam from 2 cancer registries in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City between 1995 and 2012. Next, we calculated the fractions of cancers occurring in 2018 attributable to established modifiable risk factors whose impact could be quantified. Data on exposure prevalence were obtained for the period from 2000 to 2010 from national sources wherever possible. RESULTS Cancer incidence in Vietnam has decreased slightly in both sexes. Cancer related to infectious agents decreased sharply, whereas cancer related to nutrition and metabolism has increased. In 2018, established carcinogens included in the analysis explained 47.0% of cancer burden in Vietnam. Chronic infections accounted for 29.1% of cancers (34.7% in men and 22.1% in women), tobacco smoking for 13.5% (23.9% in men and 0.8% in women), and alcohol drinking for 10.3%. Passive smoking was responsible for 8.8% of cancers in women. Other risk factors, including overweight or obesity, nulliparity, and low vegetable and fruit intake, accounted for < 1% of all cancers each. CONCLUSION Cancer incidence is slowly decreasing in Vietnam, and the causes of more than half of cancers remain unexplained. This result underlines the need for further epidemiologic and fundamental research. Our findings confirm the notion that controlling oncogenic infections and decreasing tobacco smoking are the most effective approaches to reduce the burden of cancer in Vietnam, but other risk factors, including alcohol drinking and diet, should not be neglected.