The seroprevalence of toxocariasis and related risk factors in children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: results from a school-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Children are especially vulnerable to Toxocara infection and its severe complications; however, there have not been any published data on the disease prevalence and treatment effectiveness in the population of Vietnamese children. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of toxocariasis and explore factors associated with Toxocara infection in children aged 3-15 y in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a multistage cluster sampling approach in public schools. Blood samples were collected, and toxocariasis cases were confirmed, based on a history of contact with dogs/cats and positive anti-Toxocara antibody detection via ELISA. We calculated the percentage of seropositive children across gender, grade levels, districts and caregiver education. Multiple regression models were employed to identify potential risk factors. RESULTS: Anti-Toxocara antibodies were found in 14.2% of the 986 children studied. Significant variations in seropositivity were observed across grade levels, districts and caregiver education levels. Multivariable analysis identified caregiver education, contact with dogs/cats and improper handling of pet feces as seropositivity risk factors. CONCLUSION: This was the first community-based prevalence study of toxocariasis in a pediatric population in Vietnam. Implementation of preventive measures such as public education, routine fecal examinations and chemotherapeutic treatment of animals is highly recommended.

Significant gaps in hepatitis B vaccination in adults in Viet Nam: Important targets toward hepatitis B elimination by 2030.

BACKGROUND: Gaps in adult hepatitis B vaccination were undefined in Vietnam, a lower-middle-income country. To address these gaps, this study defined hepatitis B vaccine coverage in adults and its associated factors in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Viet Nam. We also proposed interventional strategies, prioritizing gap identification to facilitate hepatitis B elimination by 2030 and beyond. METHOD: During 2019-2020, a multi-stage cluster serosurvey with probability proportional to size was conducted to representatively invite 20,000 adults (18 years or older) throughout HCMC for hepatitis B screening (HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc). Serologic results defined two dependent variables: vaccine-induced immunity (i.e., isolated anti-HBs) and susceptibility (i.e., HBV naive). Associations of dependent variables with surveyed demographics, socioeconomic statuses, behaviors, and medical history at risk for hepatitis B were evaluated using weighted Poisson regression. RESULTS: The prevalence was 18.5% (95%CI, 17.3-20.0%) for vaccine-induced immunity and 37.7% (35.6-39.8%) for susceptibility. Even though analyses in the general population revealed a falling trend in vaccine-induced immunity prevalence from younger to older age groups, sensitivity analyses in the non-infected population (i.e., those who were both negative for HBsAg and anti-HBc) showed that younger age groups, especially those aged 30 to 50 years, had the lowest prevalence. Social inequalities existed in different ethnicities, residence areas, education levels, house ownership, and health insurance statuses. There was no significant association between vaccine-induced immunity or susceptibility and risky behaviors and medical histories. CONCLUSION: This study depicts a significant unmet need for hepatitis B vaccination in the general adult population in HCMC, Viet Nam. Indeed, the lack of vaccination was unevenly distributed regarding age groups, geographical areas, and socioeconomic statuses, which reveals profound social disparities. Therefore, to achieve hepatitis B elimination goals, besides the current recommendations for infants and risk-based strategies, hepatitis B vaccination should be recommended for the broader population.

Demonstration of a population-based HCV serosurvey in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam: Establishing baseline prevalence of and continuum of care for HCV micro-elimination by 2030.

Background: A baseline of hepatitis C virus (HCV) burden and other HCV epidemiological profiles is necessary for HCV micro-elimination in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Viet Nam. This study aimed to determine HCV exposure and prevalence of HCV viremia as well as the proportion of HCV testing and treatment uptake among participants. Methods: From 2019 to 2020, the probability proportionate to size sampling method was deployed to representatively invite approximately 20,000 adults (18 or older) throughout HCMC to free screening and linkage to care for HCV. Findings: In HCMC, the weighted prevalence of anti-HCV was 1·3% (95% CI, 1·1%-1·6%). Individuals born from 1945 to 1964 had the anti-HCV prevalence of 3·6% (95% CI, 3·0%-4·2%) and represented 40·4% of all HCV cases. There were wide variations in anti-HCV prevalence in HCMC, including variations between districts, risk factors, and socioeconomic statuses. A baseline HCV continuum of care for the city demonstrated that only 28·5% (85/298, 95%CI 23·4-33·7%) of persons with anti-HCV (+) were aware of their HCV status, with 77.6% (66/85, 95%CI 68·8-86·5%) diagnosing HCV incidentally, 82·7% (62/75, 95%CI 74·1-91·2%) initiating anti-HCV therapy, and 53.6% (30/56, 95%CI 40·5-66·6%) achieving HCV cures. Interpretation: There remains a considerable disease burden of HCV in HCMC of which a significant proportion was in the age group born between 1945 to 1964. Additionally, there were significant gaps in HCV awareness, screening, and access to care in the community in Viet Nam. Thus, future interventions must have pragmatic targets, be tailored to the local needs, and emphasise screening. Funding: This work was supported by investigator-sponsored research grants from Gilead Sciences Inc. (Grant No: IN-US-987-5382); Roche Diagnostic International Ltd. (Grant No. SUB-000196); and in-kind donations from Abbott Diagnostic Viet Nam; Hepatitis B Foundation; Medic Medical Center, Viet Nam; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine's Center of Excellence for Liver Disease in Viet Nam; and the Board of Directors, Viet Nam Viral Hepatitis Alliance (V-VHA).

Prevalence of Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep, and Associations with Adiposity and Motor Development among Preschool-Age Children in Vietnam: The SUNRISE Vietnam Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: Global childhood obesity is of great concern. In 2019, the World Health Organization released global guidelines on movement behaviors for the children under 5 y of age to combat this epidemic. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Vietnamese preschoolers meeting the guidelines, and examined whether guideline compliance is associated with adiposity and motor development. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 healthy preschoolers who were conveniently sampled from preschools in urban and rural areas around Ho Chi Minh city. Time spent in different intensities of physical activity and sedentary behavior was measured using Actigraph GT3X + accelerometers over three consecutive days. Sleep and screen time were obtained via parent questionnaires. Children were classified as meeting or not meeting the global guidelines. Height, weight, and motor skills were measured by the research staff. Regression models were applied to quantify the association between guideline compliance and adiposity and motor development, adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS: While 17.5% of children met all three guidelines, 5.8% met no guidelines. The prevalences of children who met guidelines for physical activity time, sleep duration, and screen time were 50.4%, 81.4%, and 44.7%, respectively. There was no association between guideline compliance and adiposity and motor development. CONCLUSION: This study found a low proportion of children who met the global guidelines, whereas a high proportion of those with overweight and obesity was reported. Health programs should promote more physical activities of various intensities in young children.