A prospective cohort study on the association between waterpipe tobacco smoking and gastric cancer mortality in Northern Vietnam.

Tobacco consumption, as a worldwide problem, is a risk factor for several types of cancer. In Vietnam, tobacco consumption in the form of waterpipe tobacco smoking is common. This prospective cohort study aimed to study the association between waterpipe tobacco smoking and gastric cancer mortality in Northern Vietnam. A total of 25,619 eligible participants were followed up between 2008 and 2019. Waterpipe tobacco and cigarette smoking data were collected; semi-quantitative food frequency and lifestyle questionnaires were also utilized. Gastric cancer mortality was determined via medical records available at the state health facilities. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). During 314,992.8 person-years of follow-up, 55 men and 25 women deaths due to gastric cancer were identified. With never-smokers as the reference, the risk of gastric cancer mortality was significantly increased in participants who were ever-smoking (HR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.35-4.36). The positive risk was also observed in men but was not significantly increased in women. By types of tobacco use, exclusive waterpipe smokers showed a significantly increased risk of gastric cancer mortality (HR = 3.22, 95% CI = 1.67-6.21) but that was not significantly increased in exclusive cigarette smokers (HR = 1.90, 95% CI = 0.88-4.07). There was a significant positive association between tobacco smoking and gastric cancer death for indicators of longer smoking duration, higher frequency per day, and cumulative frequency of both waterpipe and cigarette smoking. Waterpipe tobacco smoking would significantly increase the risk of gastric cancer mortality in the Vietnamese population. Further studies are required to understand the waterpipe tobacco smoking-driven gastric cancer burden and promote necessary interventions.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies among Blood Donors in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, August-November 2020.

Relatively little is known about the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgG antibodies and COVID-19-related behaviors in the general population in Vietnam, where the first case of COVID-19 was detected on January 22, 2020. We surveyed a group of 885 blood donors at community blood donation sessions in Ho Chi Minh City from August 27 to November 7, 2020. Blood was collected to test for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies using the plaque reduction neutralization test. We adjusted the seroprevalence by weight for ages 18 to 59 years old obtained from the 2019 population census. The weighted seroprevalence estimate for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing IgG antibodies was 0.20% (95% CI, 0.05-0.81). Reports of usually or always using a mask in public places were observed at high levels of 28.6% and 67.5%, respectively. The percentages of usually or always washing hands with soap or disinfecting with hand sanitizer after touching items in public places were 48.0% and 37.6%, respectively. Although our findings suggest undocumented exposure to the virus, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among blood donors was low in this city.

Rotavirus genotype trends from 2013 to 2018 and vaccine effectiveness in southern Vietnam.

OBJECTIVES: Rotavirus (RV) genotypes vary geographically, and this can affect vaccine effectiveness (VE). This study investigated the genotype distribution of RV and explored VE before introducing the RV vaccine to the national immunization programme in Vietnam. METHODS: This hospital-based surveillance study was conducted at Children's Hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh City in 2013-2018. Stool samples and relevant data, including vaccination history, were collected from children aged <5 years who were hospitalized with gastroenteritis. RV was detected using enzyme immunoassays and then genotyped. Children aged ≥6 months were included in the VE analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 5176 children were included in this study. RV was detected in 2421 children (46.8%). RV positivity decreased over the study period and was associated with age, seasonality, location and previous vaccination. Among 1105 RV-positive samples, G3P[8] was the most prevalent genotype (43.1%), followed by G8P[8] (19.7%), G1P[8] (12.9%) and G2P[4] (12.9%). Overall VE was 69.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 53.3-80.6%] in fully vaccinated children and 58.6% (95% CI 44.1-69.4%) in children who had received at least one dose of RV vaccine. VE was highest for G3P[8] (95% CI 75.1-84.5%) and lowest for G2P[4] (95% CI 32.4-57.2%). CONCLUSIONS: RV remains a major cause of acute gastroenteritis requiring hospitalization in southern Vietnam. The RV vaccine is effective, but its effectiveness varies with RV genotype.

In the interest of public safety: rapid response to the COVID-19 epidemic in Vietnam.

We describe the status of the COVID-19 epidemic in Vietnam, major response successes, factors that prompted implementation of certain public health actions, and the impact of these actions. In addition, information for three case studies is reported, with crucial learnings to inform future response. Findings from this study suggest that as early as 20 January 2020, Vietnam held a national risk assessment, established a national COVID-19 Response Plan and Technical Treatment and Care Guidelines, and prepared public health laboratories to accurately diagnose cases and hospitals to effectively treat patients. The first COVID-19 case was detected on 23 January. As of 30 September, there had been three waves of the COVID-19 epidemic totalling 1095 cases, and resulting in 35 deaths all among people with underlying health conditions. Evidence of potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from a commercial passenger flight inbound to Vietnam was reported. This study also highlights the importance of early technical preparedness, strong political commitment, multisectoral and multilevel efforts, increased resourcing and coordination towards an effective COVID-19 response. Controlling outbreaks in settings, such as crowded public places (bars and hospitals), within certain villages and over cities, required early detection, aggressive trace-test-quarantine efforts, a geographically extensive lockdown area and an adoption of several non-pharmaceutical interventions. Many low-income and middle-income countries have experienced their second or third wave of the COVID-19 epidemic, and they can learn from Vietnam's response across the three epidemic waves. Swift governmental action, strict border control measures, effective communication of health promotion measures, widespread community engagement, expanded testing capacity and effective social measures to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2, are highly important in these locations.