Northern Provinces Of Vietnam Research Articles

Treatment adherence amongst drug users attending public and private methadone maintenance clinics in a northern province of Vietnam

BackgroundMethadone maintenance treatment (MMT) has been proven to be effective in improving health status and the quality of life of illicit drug users. Due to the quick expand of methadone program, socialization through co-payment service is a critical to the success of it. In Nam Dinh, Vietnam, MMT has been used in public clinics and one private clinic. Such effectiveness of this treatment has been found to depend largely on adherence to treatment. This study aims to explore the compliance rate and its influencing factors among drug users between public and private clinics in Nam Dinh province, Vietnam.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 395 participants from January to September in 2018 in three MMT clinics in Nam Dinh, Vietnam. We applied the convenience sampling technique to recruit respondents. Data on socioeconomics characteristics, MMT adherence (measured by Visual Analogue Scale – VAS) and level of social/family support were collected.Results43.3% of participants reported complete adherence to the MMT program during the time of research. Significant factors affect MMT adherence among illicit drug users including family income, history of drug rejections, concurrence in drug usage, far distance from MMT clinics, and having only peer. Patients in MMT private clinic had higher complete adherence than that of public MMT (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.13; 2.94). Having contacts with peer drug users associated with a higher rate of incomplete adherence (OR = 2.83, 95% CI = 1.39; 5.73).ConclusionsThe findings support the establishment of private MMT clinics alongside public ones, while further researches to determine the optimal dose and ways to reduce the impact of peer drug user’s influence are encouraged to be conducted.

On-site rainwater harvesting and treatment for drinking water supply: assessment of cost and technical issues.

This study assessed the performance of rainwater-harvesting systems installed for selected public utilities in the northern provinces of Vietnam where rainwater was collected, stored in stainless steel tanks, and treated with a complex filtration unit and Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system (full system). Results from an operation of over 5years show that the untreated rainwater could not be used directly for drinking purposes as it was contaminated with bacteria (total coliforms TC = 200-300CFU/100ml, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA = 40-160CFU/100ml), and turbidity = 2-4 NTU. Most of the heavy metals detected were found below the standard limits. Phenol and its derivatives were detected occasionally as higher than the standard value (1μg/L). After treatment, all parameters met the drinking water standards. The capital costs of the rainwater systems were approximately US$200/m3 and US$180/m3 for a full system and simplified system (without complex filtration unit), respectively, while the operation and maintenance (O&M) costs were 3 cents/L and 0.8 cents/L on average for a full system and simplified one, correspondingly.

Dietary exposure and health risk characterization of aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1, and zearalenone in food from different provinces in Northern Vietnam

A dietary exposure and health risk assessment of mycotoxins including aflatoxin B1, fumonisin B1, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone was conducted in 3 provinces in Northern Vietnam namely Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, and Ha Giang. Results of the analysis of samples of maize, rice, peanut, and sesame revealed the presence of these mycotoxins in all samples and sampling locations. Aflatoxin B1 was the most frequently detected (19.1%) and widely distributed among different types of samples, whereas the percentage occurrence of fumonisin B1, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone were 11.2, 5.9 and 6.3, respectively. The later three mycotoxins were detected mostly in maize. The exposure to aflatoxin B1 at detected levels could lead to 0.23, 0.65 and 21.0 cases of liver cancer per 100,000 adult people per year in Hanoi, Thanh Hoa and Ha Giang, respectively. The risk assessment also showed the unsafe exposure to ochratoxin A and fumonisin B1 in the highland region where the people consume a large amount of foods derived from maize. In Ha Giang, the mean exposures to fumonisin B1 were lower than its PMTDI (Provisional Maximum Tolerable Daily Intake), however, the 95th percentile values were 1.1–1.9 times of the PMTDI. The mean exposures to ochratoxin A in Ha Giang were about 2.4–3.6 times higher than its PMTWI (Provisional Maximum Tolerable Weekly Intake). There was no risk of fumonisin B1 and ochratoxin A in Hanoi and Thanh Hoa. The dietary exposure to zearalenone was within its PMTDI in all locations. The results pointed out the need for further improvement of the control of these mycotoxins in Vietnam, especially in some highland provinces.

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS, LIVELIHOOD VULNERABILITY AND RESPONSE ACTIONS: A CASE STUDY IN THAI NGUYEN PROVINCE, VIETNAM

Climate change adaptation has recently attracted high interest in many countries across the world. This study aims to (1) understand the current livelihood situation of farmers in a northern province of Vietnam, their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change; and (2) identify the most potential adaptive measures and strategies toward climate resilience and improved household income. The research was carried out between October 2019 and April 2020 in Thai Nguyen province using both quantitative and qualitative methods through key informant interviews with relevant stakeholders from provincial to commune levels, household surveys with 95 farmers in 2 communes, and workshops and focus group discussions among farmers and the stakeholders. Results of this study showed a highly vulnerable situation of the local farmers due to climate change. Eleven potential climate-smart production practices have been identified, providing ground for promoting adoption and dissemination of the climate resilient initiatives. An overall strategy for sustainable livelihoods and income for the local farmers was developed. The strategy would not only relevant for the smallholders in the studied area, but also adoptable for small-scale farmers in other parts of the world.

Strengthening the Attraction of Foreign Direct Investment to Vietnam's Dak Lak Province in the New Context, Vietnam

Dak Lak is a province with tremendous socio-economic development potentials on the Red River Delta. Dak Lak is now one of the highest and fastest-growing provinces in northern Vietnam. The Dak Lak province has been planned to be placed in the capital's metropolitan region and the north-eastern entrance of the capital Ha Noi. Moreover, Dak Lak is situated on Con Minh - Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh and Nam Dinh - Lang Son - Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh, two economic corridors. The province lies in the traffic system linked to provinces in the region, such as National Highway 1A, National Highway No.18, National Highway No. 38, the axis of Dak Lak to Lang Son, China; Cau, Duong, and Thai Binh waterways that link Dak Lak to the region's waterway port and maritime system. This is a highly positive aspect in the socio-economic growth and interactions between Dak Lak and neighboring communities. Dak Lak has a huge potential, in particular FDI for socio-etical development, to attract investment money. Nevertheless, in the present situation, Dak Lak has to sustain effective existing FDI with a number of possibilities but also a large number of obstacles and particularly during the industrial age of 4.0 and the current economic integration.

Prevalence, Species Distribution, and Related Factors of Fish-Borne Trematode Infection in Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam.

Background. Clonorchis sinensis/Opisthorchis viverrini and minute intestinal flukes (MIF) such as Haplorchis pumilio and H. taichui are fish-borne trematodes (FBT) that may coexist in regions where local people have a habit of eating raw fish like Vietnam. Responses to FBT should be verified according to the data on the distribution of these flukes. This study aims to explore the prevalence of different species of FBT and related factors among local people in a northern province of Vietnam. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kim Son and Yen Khanh districts, Ninh Binh province, between March 2016 and March 2017. Four hundred people aged 15 years or older were interviewed and gave stool samples. The FBT eggs in faecal samples were enumerated by modified formalin-ether technique and identified by sequencing of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region. Result. Among the 400 persons, 19.5% were infected with FBT. On univariate analysis, eating raw fish was the main risk factor (odds ratios (OR)) of 6.769 (95% confidence interval (CI) of 2.655–17.259) followed by being of male gender (3.994 (CI95% 2.117–7.536)) and drinking alcohol (2.680 (CI95% 1.440–4.986)), respectively. There was no risk of increased infection among those living at home without hygienic latrines, those living close to rivers or having ponds, or those raising cats or dogs. By multivariate analysis, FBT infection was only related to the consumption of raw fish and gender. Seventy stool samples with a sufficient amount of faecal matter were subjected to DNA extraction, 42.85% of them yielded DNA production, and all were of Clonorchis sinensis. Conclusion. Results of the study showed the high prevalence of infection of fish-borne trematode, mostly C. sinensis among humans in Ninh Binh province. The prevention of FBT should be strengthened with programs detailed according to the distribution of FBT in different endemic areas.

Gender Bias and Women Entrepreneurs in Vietnam

This article analyses the factors influencing the entrepreneurial intentions of Vietnamese women. The research incorporates constructs from the Theory of Planned Behavior developed by Ajzen (1991) to explain entrepreneurial intentions of Vietnamese women. In addition to the variables attitude towards behaviour, subjective social norms, and perceived behavioural control used by Ajzen (1991), the researcher has added perceived gender bias and perceived environment conditions, as these are assumed to have an impact on startup intentions. The research was carried out on a sample of more than 1,700 women from five northern provinces of Vietnam. The findings reveal that two variables attitude towards behaviour and perceived behaviour control have a positive impact on entrepreneurship.

Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders and their relation to selected socio-demographic factors among children aged 18\u201330\xa0months in northern Vietnam, 2017

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorders are increasing worldwide and in Vietnam. This study reports the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders and examines their relation to selected socio-demographic factors among children aged 18 and 30 months in three northern cities/provinces in Vietnam, 2017.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted among 17,277 children aged 18 and 30 months one city (Hanoi capital) and two provinces in northern Vietnam. The multi-stage sampling technique was applied in this study. We used M-CHAT to screen children with high risk of ASD. M-CHAT positive cases were diagnosed by pediatric neurologists from National Pediatrics Hospital using DSM-IV criteria. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed.ResultsThe overall prevalence of ASD among children aged 18 and 30 months in the three studied sites was 0.752% (95% CI 0.629–0.893%). The odds of having ASD were statistically significant higher among (a) children living in urban area as compared to those from rural settings (OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.73–4.21); (b) boys as compared to girls (OR = 4.04, 95% CI 2.57–6.35); and (c) children of mothers who worked as farmers as compared to children of mothers who were government staff (OR = 4.72, 95% CI 2.03–10.97).ConclusionsOur study revealed that the prevalence of ASD among children in Vietnam seems to be increasing. The significant correlates of ASD among the children were urban setting, male gender and mother’s occupation (farmer). Further and more in-depth studies on determinants of ASD are needed to provide insights into the problem.

Literate Shamanism: The Priests Called Then among the Tày in Guangxi and Northern Vietnam

Then is the designation in Vietnamese and Tày given to shamanic practitioners of the Tày ethnicity, who reside mainly in the northern provinces of Vietnam. Scholars are long aware that the predominantly female spirit mediums among the Zhuang in Guangxi, variously called mehmoed or mehgimq, had a ritual repertoire which included shamanic journeys up to the sky as their essential element. The ritual songs of the mehmoed are orally transmitted, unlike the rituals of male religious practitioners in Guangxi such as Taoist priests, Ritual Masters, and mogong, all of which are text-based. One was led rather easily to posit a dichotomy in which male performers had texts, and female performers had repertoires which were orally transmitted. This division also seemed to hold true for certain seasonal song genres, at least in Guangxi. For that matter, shamanic traditions cross-culturally are seen as predominantly or exclusively oral traditions. Recent research among the Tày-speaking communities in northern Vietnam has confounded this tidy picture. Religious practitioners among the Tày include the Pụt, who in many cases have texts which incorporate segments of shamanic sky journeys and may be either male or female; and the Then, also both male and female, who have extensive repertoires of shamanic rituals which are performed and transmitted textually. The Then have a performance style that is recognisably based on shamanic journeying, but elaborated as a form of art song, complete with instrumental accompaniment (two- or three-stringed lutes), ritual dances, and flamboyant costumes. Apart from individual performances, there are large-scale rituals conducted by as many as a dozen priests. The present paper gives an overview of the practices and rituals of the Then, based on recent fieldwork in Vietnam and Guangxi, and discusses the implications these have for our conventional understandings of shamanism, literacy, gender, and the cultural geography of the border regions.

Morphological characteristics of Talinum paniculatum, and nucleotide sequences of ITS region, rpoC1 and rpoB genes

Jewels of Opar (T. paniculatum) belongs to Talinum genus, Portulacaceae family which contains secondary metabolites such as phytosterols, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, steroids. These organic compounds have anti-viral effects and are very effective on Herpes’ disease and skin infections. Besides, Jewels of Opar can also be used as a supporting medicine for Parkinson’s disease, heart disease and for lowering blood cholesterols. Currently, the identification of T. paniculatum has been mainly based on morphological analysis. However, this method often encounters obstacles when T. paniculatum has been completely or partially processed. In this work, we present the results of morphological characteristics, taxonomy and sequences characterisation of ITS region and rpoC1, rpoB genes of T. paniculatum in Northern provinces of Vietnam. Tuberous roots of T. paniculatum are cylindrical with many small roots. The stems are upright and divided into several branches. The stems are upright and divided into several branches. The leaves are staggered, generally oval, ovate-oblong, or egg back shaped; thick, glossy with wavy veins, without hairs. The flowers of the plants have five reddish purple wings, two sepals, more than ten stamens, and a spherical ovary. The fruits are small, and the ripe fruit is ash gray in color. The seeds are very small, slightly flat, and black. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and two partial sequences of rpoC1 and rpoB genes isolated from T. paniculatum plants are 643 bp, 595 bp and 518 bp in length, respectively. Based on the combination of the characteristics of morphology and nucleotide sequences of ITS region, rpoC1 and rpoB genes, the Jewels of Opar samples collected in some northern provinces of Vietnam were determined to belong to T. paniculatum species, Talinum genus, Portulacaceae family. Characteristics of sequences of ITS region and rpoC1, rpoB genes are valuable for exploiting DNA barcodes to identify T. paniculatum in Vietnam.

Nucleotide diversity of a nuclear gene ITS region and chloroplast genes (matK, rbcL, rpoC1) of Canarium nigrum in some provinces in Northern Vietnam

In this study, three chloroplast genes (matK, rbcL and rpoC1) and one nuclear gene (ITS) were used to assess the nucleotide diversity for nine individuals of Canarium nigrum species in Bac Giang, Hoa Binh and Phu Tho provinces (three individuals from each province). The nucleotide sequence of the four regions (ITS, matK, rbcL and rpoC1) of C. nigrum were determined with the results showing their size to be 696 bp, 798 bp, 702 bp and 522 bp, respectively. Results of nucleotide sequence comparison for the studied samples exhibited 100% similarity for all the four gene regions. Sequence comparison with other species in the Canarium genus available in the GenBank revealed that the nucleotide diversity level (π) was the highest for the ITS gene (0.02), followed by matK (0.007), and the lowest for rbcL (0.003). The phylogenetic tree of C. nigrum with the species in Canarium genus indicated that the separation of species was the clearest for the rpoC1 gene, followed by rbcL, matK and ITS gene, with the bootrap values obtained from the branching nodes of each species ranging from 98 to 99%, 35 to 67%, 65 to 98% and 98 to 99%, respectively. The species C. nigrum had the closest nucleotide similarity to C. tramdenum (KP093200) and C. album (KP093198) for the ITS gene and to species C. subulatum (KR530509), C. acutifolium (KR530512) for matK gene region. These results suggests the rpoC1 gene region could be used as barcode for the species in genus Canarium.

Description of a new species of the genus Prionus Geoffroy, 1762 from northern Vietnam (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Prioninae)

Abstract Prionus sontinh new species, from Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces in northern Vietnam, is described and illustrated. The new species is compared with its closest taxa in the genus Prionus. urn:lsid: zoobank.org :act:8562579E-BD9F-4987-B7E2-E0D86E559713.

Lessons from the South: Research Collaboration as an Educational Practice

Between 1998 and 2011, we coordinated three consecutive research projects in three different provinces of Northern Vietnam. The projects aimed at improving the living conditions of various ethnic minorities in these areas. We focused on poverty alleviation, water management, and nature conservation. In all cases, there was a close collaboration between Vietnamese and Belgian researchers. The participation of the local population was an important ambition in the research. In this paper, we describe the three projects and analyze the relationships among the Belgian and Vietnamese researchers on the one hand, and between the researchers, the authorities, and the local population on the other hand. Furthermore, we examine the opportunities and obstacles to interdisciplinary and intercultural cooperation, with the help of critical theories on participation and decolonization. The three consecutive research projects can be considered as intensive learning processes for the researchers, the local communities, and the authorities. The paper begins with a fragment from the log of one of the participating researchers.

Readiness, Availability and Utilization of Rural Vietnamese Health Facilities for Community Based Primary Care of Non-communicable Diseases: A CrossSectional Survey of 3 Provinces in Northern Vietnam.

Background: Vietnam’s network of commune health centers (CHCs) have historically managed acute infectious diseases and implemented national disease-specific vertical programs. Vietnam has undergone an epidemiological transition towards non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Limited data exist on Vietnamese CHC capacity to prevent, diagnose, and treat NCDs. In this paper, we assess NCD service readiness, availability, and utilization at rural CHCs in 3 provinces in northern Vietnam. Methods: Between January 2014 and April 2014, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 89 rural CHCs from 3 provinces. Our study outcomes included service readiness, availability of equipment and medications, and utilization for five NCD conditions: hypertension, diabetes, chronic pulmonary diseases, cancer, and mental illnesses. Results: NCD service availability was limited, except for mental health. Only 25% of CHCs indicated that they conducted activities focused on NCD prevention. Patient utilization of CHCs was approximately 223 visits per month or 8 visits per day. We found a statistically significant difference (P<.05) for NCD service availability, medication availability and CHC utilization among the 3 provinces studied. Conclusion: This is the first multi-site study on NCD service availability in Vietnam and the first study in a mountainous region consisting predominately of ethnic minorities. Despite strong government support for NCD prevention and control, Vietnam’s current network of CHCs has limited NCD service capacity.

Domestication of Docynia indica in Vietnam

ABSTRACTDocynia indica is a tree indigenous to South and Southeast Asia. In Vietnam its fruits are used in the production of juice, tea, syrup, vinegar and wine. In 2012 commercial harvesting from about 3,000 ha of natural stands and planted orchards in the three main growing provinces in Northern Vietnam yielded 6,500 tonnes of fruit. Since then plantations have expanded rapidly, using unimproved local seed sources. From a biological perspective, domestication is straightforward. Seedlings are easily raised and grafting scion material from selected trees onto seedling rootstocks and by top working established trees results in excellent long-term graft retention. Grafted trees yielded heavy fruit crops within three years of planting. Evaluation of the fruit quality of eleven selected clones and eight unselected control trees by a panel of 19 experienced farmers and fruit traders revealed significant differences among individual clones and controls in perceived fruit quality score and estimated fruit selling price, but no overall advantage of the clones over the controls. Future selection and clonal testing should be led by farmers and fruit harvesters, and focus on trees known to yield the highest-value fruits. Development and strengthening of markets is a prerequisite for profitable expansion of D. indica growing.

Child and Family Factors Associated With Child Maltreatment in Vietnam.

This study aims to explore possible risk factors for child maltreatment in Vietnam by investigating the association of child and family factors with different types of child maltreatment (i.e., sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, witnessing parental conflict, and neglect) and the occurrence of multiple types of child maltreatment. Cross-sectional data of 1,851 secondary and high school students aged 12 to 17 years (47.3% boys) in four provinces of Northern Vietnam were obtained using self-report questionnaires. Results indicated that the likelihood of emotional abuse, witnessing parental conflict, and experiencing multiple types of child maltreatment during lifetime increased with age. Boys had a higher risk than girls on lifetime sexual abuse, and past year and lifetime physical abuse. Living in a single parent family was the risk factor related to most types of child maltreatment including lifetime sexual abuse, neglect, and multiple types of child maltreatment, and both past year and lifetime witnessing parental conflict. Interestingly, low socioeconomic status (SES) and parental unemployment were associated with a decreased risk on experiencing emotional abuse in the past year and during lifetime, respectively. “Tiger parenting,” a parenting style observed frequently in East Asian parents, may be more common in families with high SES and might explain this finding. This study highlights the importance of prioritizing single parent families in parenting programs and implementing child maltreatment interventions early because of the risk on child maltreatment increased with age. More research on emotional abuse and “Tiger parenting” in Vietnam could clarify the association of emotional abuse with high SES and parental employment. Finally, the underlying mechanisms of the risk factors in Vietnam should be studied more to inform interventions.

First Report of Fusarium Wilt on Cavendish Bananas, Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (VCG 01213/16), in Vietnam

Fusarium wilt of banana, caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is a major constraint to banana production worldwide. A strain of the fungus that affects Cavendish and other dessert bananas in the tropics, called Foc tropical race 4 (TR4; VCG 01213/16), has been confined to five Asian countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, mainland China, and Taiwan) for more than three decades. Cavendish production is now being expanded in Asia to Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, where local varieties still dominate the market. This is owing to an increase in Cavendish banana consumption and a decline in areas of production caused by Foc TR4 in China. The expansion of Cavendish production in Southeast Asia, however, has increased the risk of Foc TR4 being introduced into new countries. Leaf-yellowing symptoms typical of banana Fusarium wilt were observed in three provinces in northern Vietnam along the Red River that originates in the Yunnan province of China, namely Hanoi (October 2014), Hung Yen (October 2015), and Lao Cai (October 2015). When cut open, pseudostems displayed a dark-red to brown discoloration of vascular tissue, and the inner rhizome revealed a ring of yellow-brown staining. Samples of symptomatic strands from pseudostems were collected to identify the causal agent by morphological, molecular, and vegetative compatibility group (VCG) identification. The samples were first plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) containing streptomycin for fungal isolation. The cultures were then purified, single-spored, and maintained at the culture collection of the Department of Plant Pathology at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Eight Fusarium isolates obtained were identified to species level on PDA and carnation leaf agar plates according to their cultural and spore morphology (Nelson et al. 1983). For molecular identification, total DNA was extracted and amplified with Foc TR4-specific primers (Dita et al. 2010) and Foc race 4-specific primers (Lin et al. 2009). VCG testing was performed according to the method of Puhalla (1985) by pairing nit-1 and nit-3 mutants of the isolates from Vietnam with nit-M testers of VCGs 01213, 01216, and 01213/16. Pathogenicity testing was performed by replanting Cavendish tissue culture plantlets at the six-leaf stage in sand mixed with corn powder, which was colonized by the individual Fusarium isolates from Vietnam, at a ratio of 19:1. Control plants were treated with sterile distilled water. The identity of the Vietnamese isolates was confirmed as F. oxysporum, whereas PCR and VCG analysis characterized six of them as VCG 01213/16 strains. After 6 weeks, plants inoculated with the VCG 01213/16 isolates produced typical symptoms of Fusarium wilt, so Koch's postulates were completed. The occurrence of Foc TR4 in Vietnam can have a significant economic impact to agricultural production, because investments were made to replace citrus, longan, and corn fields with Cavendish plantations. Foc TR4 also poses a threat to local banana varieties, and these varieties should therefore be evaluated for resistance to the fungus. The potential spread of Foc TR4 in Vietnam should be minimized by surveillance, public awareness campaigns, risk assessment, and containment efforts.

Appearance of US-like porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) strains before US outbreaks and genetic heterogeneity of PEDVs collected in Northern Vietnam during 2012-2015.

SummaryPorcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) is the aetiologic agent of porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED), a highly contagious enteric disease that is threatening the swine industry globally. Since PED was first reported in Southern Vietnam in 2009, the disease has spread throughout the country and caused substantial economic losses. To identify PEDVs responsible for the recent outbreaks, the full‐length spike (S) gene of 25 field PEDV strains collected from seven northern provinces of Vietnam was sequenced and analysed. The sequence analysis revealed that the S genes of Vietnamese PEDVs were heterogeneous and classified into four genotypes, namely North America and Asian non‐S INDEL, Asian non‐S INDEL, new S INDEL and classical S INDEL. This study reported the pre‐existence of US‐like PEDV strains in Vietnam. Thirteen Vietnamese variants had a truncated S protein that was 261 amino acids shorter than the normal protein. We also detected one novel variant with an 8‐amino acid insertion located in the receptor‐binding region for porcine aminopeptidase N. Compared to the commercial vaccine strains, the emerging Vietnamese strains were genetically distant and had various amino acid differences in epitope regions and N‐glycosylation sites in the S protein. The development of novel vaccines based on the emerging Vietnamese strains may be contributive to the control of the current PED outbreaks.

Results of early warning indicators for HIV/AIDS in 42 outpatient clinics in 25 northern provinces of Vietnam

Background: The emergence of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) is an unavoidable consequence of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and HIVDR early warning indicators (EWIs) could specifically assess factors at individual clinics associated with HIVDR. Thus, the present study aimed to collect data on EWIs for HIV/AIDS at 42 outpatient clinics (OPCs) in 25 northern provinces and cities of Vietnam in 2012. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Data was collected from 42 OPCs in 25 northern provinces between October and December 2012. The information was collected retrospectively from outpatient records from 2008 to 2011. Results: In total, 99.8% ART patients were prescribed the correct regimen when starting ART treatment. All facilities met the target of under 20% patients lost to follow-up at 12 months. A total of 33/42 facilities reached the goal for on-time appointment keeping and 37/42 facilities achieved the target of first-line retention after 12-month ARV treatment. Conclusions: EWIs should be performed routinely in HIV/AIDS facilities. The data collected will contribute to monitoring, supervision, periodic assessment, and future plans for HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs in the area.

Use practices of antimicrobials and other compounds by shrimp and fish farmers in Northern Vietnam

Aquaculture production is increasing in Vietnam, but is hampered by frequent disease outbreaks and widespread use of various compounds used to treat the fish and shrimp. The objective of this study was to analyse factors influencing farmer use practices of antimicrobials and other compounds by a questionnaire and observational survey conducted with 60 whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and 25 fish farmers in three coastal provinces in Northern Vietnam. Personnel in 22 shops distributing feed and chemicals for aquaculture were interviewed about their advice on sale to the farmers. Results showed that 20 different antimicrobial products were used for disease prevention and treatment in shrimp and marine fish culture. Banned products used included chloramphenicol, enrofloxacin and malachite green. Cage fish farmers said they purchased antimicrobial tablets readily available at a local pharmacy and sold for human use. Chinese traders were the main drug suppliers to the shrimp farmers in Quang Ninh and others provinces. Their products were sold with labels and product information written in Chinese only. Farmers appeared to have little awareness and concern about the disease aetiology when applying specific antimicrobials. Up to 50% of the shrimp farmers used up to 20 different disinfectants, e.g. chlorine-based compounds, to disinfect water in storage ponds, often without knowledge of the type of disinfectants and their mode of action. A variety of probiotics, vitamins, minerals and herbal extracts were routinely used by mainly shrimp farmers to enhance shrimp immunity. There is an urgent need to provide aquaculture farmers access to diagnostic and independent disease control advisory services and quality medicated feed, since the current indiscriminate use of antimicrobials and other compounds are inefficient, costly, and hazardous to the aquatic animal and farmer’s health, the environment and food safety.