Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Related Factors Towards COVID-19 Prevention Among Patients at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

AIM: This study measured the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 prevention and examined associated factors among patients at a national tertiary general hospital in Vietnam. METHODS: Adult patients admitted to University Medical Center during research period were recruited in a cross-sectional study, which employed a convenience sampling method with a 4-component questionnaire in order to examine the patients' consciousness towards COVID-19 spreading prevention based on four aspects: demographic characteristics (10 items), knowledge (14 items), attitudes (6 items), and practices (7 items). RESULTS: The study involved 2769 respondents (18-90 years) with the mean age of 38.05±13.91 years. About two thirds of the respondents obtained diploma degree or higher (63.4%) and shared their living space with others (64.4%). The majority of patients settled in urban area (74.9%). All participants stayed informed about COVID-19, with the most commonly used channels like television (75.2%), the Internet (72.2%) and phone (69.8%). The vast majority showed sufficient knowledge (93.7%) and positive attitudes (76.3%). Just over half of participants remained good practiced of COVID-19 prevention (57.7%). On average, the factors of younger age, higher educational level, frequency and department of admission, and the number of COVID-19 informative channels were significantly associated with sufficient knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices regarding preventive action against COVID-19 spreading. The optimistic attitude and having more undergoing chronic diseases were associated with the likelihood of well-practiced COVID-19 preventive measures (OR 3.63, 95% CI 1.54-8.55, p=0.003 and OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.78-0.98, p=0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that the likelihood of good preventive practices in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic was influenced by attitudes and several sociodemographic factors. More drastic interventions for the prevention of COVID-19 should be widely furnished and equipped in hospitals, through various routes to maximize the efficiency and adherence to prevention practices.

Genetic Determinants and Genotype-Phenotype Correlations in Vietnamese Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an important cause of heart failure and cardiac transplantation. This study determined the prevalence of DCM-associated genes and evaluated the genotype-phenotype correlation in Vietnamese patients.Methods and Results:This study analyzed 58 genes from 230 patients. The study cohort consisted of 64.3% men; age at diagnosis 47.9±13.7 years; familial (10.9%) and sporadic DCM (82.2%). The diagnostic yield was 23.5%, 44.0% in familial and 19.6% in sporadic DCM.TTNtruncating variants (TTNtv) were predominant (46.4%), followed byTPM1,DSP,LMNA,MYBPC3,MYH6,MYH7,DES,TNNT2,ACTC1,ACTN2,BAG3,DMD,FKTN,PLN,TBX5,RBM20,TCAP(2-6%). Familial DCM, genotype-positive andTTNtv-positive patients were younger than those with genotype-negative and sporadic DCM. Genotype-positive patients displayed a decreased systolic blood pressure and left ventricular wall thickness compared to genotype-negative patients. Genotype-positive patients, particularly those withTTNtv, had a family history of DCM, higher left atrial volume index and body mass index, and lower right ventricle-fractional area change than genotype-negative patients. Genotype-positive patients reached the combined outcomes more frequently and at a younger age than genotype-negative patients. Major cardiac events occurred more frequently in patients positive with genes other thanTTNtv. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings provided an overview of Vietnamese DCM patients' genetic profile and suggested that management of environmental factors may be beneficial for DCM patients.

Effect of the Optimize Heart Failure Care Program on clinical and patient outcomes - The pilot implementation in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: The Ho-Chi-Minh-city Heart Institute in Vietnam took part in the Optimize Heart Failure (OHF) Care Program, designed to improve outcomes following heart failure (HF) hospitalization by increasing patient awareness and optimizing HF treatment. METHODS: HF patients hospitalized with left ventricular ejection-fraction (LVEF) <50% were included. Patients received guideline-recommended HF treatment and education. Clinical signs, treatments and outcomes were assessed at admission, discharge, 2 and 6 months (M2, M6). Patients' knowledge and practice were assessed at M6 by telephone survey. RESULTS: 257 patients were included. Between admission and M2 and M6, heart rate decreased significantly, and clinical symptoms improved significantly. LVEF increased significantly from admission to M6. 85% to 99% of patients received education. At M6, 45% to 78% of patients acquired knowledge and adhered to practice regarding diet, exercise, weight control, and detection of worsening symptoms. High use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system inhibitors (91%), mineralocorticoid-receptor-antagonists (77%) and diuretics (85%) was noted at discharge. Beta-blocker and ivabradine use was less frequent at discharge but increased significantly at M6 (from 33% to 51% and from 9% to 20%, respectively, p < 0.001). There were no in-hospital deaths. Readmission rates at 30 and 60 days after discharge were 8.3% and 12.5%, respectively. Mortality rates at 30 days, 60 days and 6 months were 1.2%, 2.5% and 6.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The OHF Care Program could be implemented in Vietnam without difficulty and was associated with high usage of guideline-recommended drug therapy. Although education was delivered, patient knowledge and practice could be further improved at M6 after discharge.