Experiences and perceptions of dementia in Vietnam and among the Vietnamese diaspora: a systematic review of qualitative studies.

Objectives: This paper aimed to review and synthesise the qualitative research evidence on the experiences and perceptions of dementia in Vietnam and among the Vietnamese diaspora.Methods: Systematic searches were conducted in June 2019 using Medline, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO and Cochrane electronic databases, as well as grey literature. Keywords and Medical Subject Headings [MeSH terms] for dementia and associated terms were combined with keywords for Vietnam and its provinces. Qualitative research articles published in English or Vietnamese were included to examine evidence on the life experiences of Vietnamese people with dementia using thematic analysis.Results: Our searches resulted in 3,940 papers, from which 21 qualitative research studies were included for final analysis. The majority of research has not been undertaken in Vietnam but with the Vietnamese diaspora in Western countries and has taken a cultural perspective to analyses. Research in Western countries has focused on the need for culturally adapted and culturally sensitive models of care. Emerging themes about the life experiences of Vietnamese people with dementia identified from the studies included: many people do not have diagnostic terms for dementia but use the descriptive language of symptoms; stigma was a reported problem and on occasions can be observed in the descriptive language used for people with dementia; cultural and traditional values create both an opportunity and a barrier, supporting compassion, family care and relaxation, but creating barriers to accessing health services or long-term residential care.Conclusions: This is the first systematic review reporting qualitative evidence on the life experiences of people with dementia in Vietnam and among the Vietnamese diaspora. Future research is needed on the voice of people with dementia themselves and their caregivers particularly in Vietnam, and low and middle-income countries with regards to living with dementia, pathways to care from diagnosis, treatment, care and support, additional social care and preparedness for end of life care for people with dementia.

Attempt to Quit Tobacco Smoking among Male Smokers in Vietnam and Predictive Factors: Findings from Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS).

BACKGROUND: Vietnam is among countries with highest prevalence of tobacco smoking, attempt to quit is an important indicator to monitor the effectiveness of tobacco control efforts. This paper aims to describe smoking quit attempt and examine its association with some individual characteristics among male smokers. METHODS: Data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey in Vietnam in 2015 was analyzed for a sample of 1,903 male smokers taking from the national representative sample of 8,996 adults aged 15 years and above. RESULTS: Proportion of quit attempt during 12 months prior to the interview among male smoker was 37.1%. Attempt to quit smoking was significantly associated with age (OR=2.84 and 95% CI: 1.43-5.66 for those aged 55 years and older vs. those aged 24 years and younger), with knowledge of harmful effects on health (OR=1.97 and 95% CI: 1.45-2.66 for those who could list 6 to 7 diseases vs. those who could list 3 or less diseases),  number of channels with anti smoking message (OR=1.72 and 95% CI: 1.21-2.45 for those who had exposure from 3 channels or more vs. those who did not expose any channels), number of years smoking (OR=0.59 and OR=0.40 for  those with less than 15 years smoking vs. those  with 25 to 34 years smoking and more than 35 years smoking, respectively). CONCLUSION: Intervention to improve knowledge of tobacco harmful effects, and access to multiple and modern antismoking communication channels would be effective to raise quit attempt among smokers. Research to promote effectiveness of quit advice by health staff should be paid more attention.

Alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems among Vietnamese medical students.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: This study examined prevalence and predictors of alcohol consumption and alcohol problems in a sample of medical students in Vietnam. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey using a multi-stage cluster sampling approach was conducted in 2007 in two universities in Vietnam. The students (n = 619, 100% response rate) completed questionnaires based on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. A score of >or=8 defined presence of alcohol problems. Data analyses adjusted for the cluster sampling approach. RESULTS: Overall 65.5% of students had drunk alcohol during the previous year while alcohol problems were detected in 12.5%. Male students, students who reported that their family members drank and students who reported that their flat mates were drinking were more likely to be current drinkers. Male students were 14.3 times more likely to have an Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test score of >or=8 compared with female students (P = 0.005). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Intervention programs focusing on male students and their social environment are warranted. As Vietnamese society rapidly modernises prevention programs for female students may also be needed.