COVID and Gender: A Narrative Review of the Asia-Pacific Region.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the largest infectious disease epidemic to affect the human race since the great influenza pandemic of 1918-19 and is close to approaching the number of deaths from the earlier epidemic. A review of available data and the numerous currently available studies on COVID-19 shows that the rate of clinical cases is about 10% greater in females than males in Asia. However, the number of deaths is greater in males than in females.

Effect of a Mobile Application on Breastfeeding Rates Among Mothers Who Have Cesarean Deliveries: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Cesarean section often translates to negative impacts on breastfeeding rates. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a mobile application on breastfeeding outcomes among mothers who had cesarean sections using a randomized controlled trial in Vietnam in 2020-2022. A triple-blinded randomized trial of a mobile application was conducted.

Disparities in Gynecological Healthcare Service Utilization Among Ethnic Minority Women in Vietnam.

The study aimed to investigate differences in the prevalence of gynecological healthcare service utilization in 12 ethnic minority groups and associated socio-demographic correlates with gynecological healthcare service utilization in Vietnam. Based on the national survey on healthcare utilization among 6912 people in 12 ethnic minorities, 900 women aged 21-49 years were included in the final analysis. Prevalence of gynecological healthcare service utilization in 12 ethnic minority groups was measured, based on the question "Have you ever used any gynecological healthcare services?" Socio-demographic characteristics including region, ethnicity, age, marital status, literacy level, education level, languages spoken, occupation, religion, household economy status, using contraception, and distance to the nearest healthcare facility were examined.

Intention to Exclusively Breastfeed Is Associated with Lower Rates of Cesarean Section for Nonmedical Reasons in a Cohort of Mothers in Vietnam.

Background: Breastfeeding brings benefits to both mothers and children in the short term and long term. Unnecessary cesarean sections can bring risks to both parties. This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding intention and cesarean delivery.

Climate Change, Food Supply, and Dietary Guidelines.

Food production is affected by climate change, and, in turn, food production is responsible for 20-30% of greenhouse gases. The food system must increase output as the population increases and must meet nutrition and health needs while simultaneously assisting in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Good nutrition is important for combatting infection, reducing child mortality, and controlling obesity and chronic disease throughout the life course.

Self-reported non-communicable diseases and associated socio-demographic status among ethnic minority populations in Vietnam, 2019.

The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of self-reported non-communicable diseases among ethnic minority populations in Vietnam and related factors. A total of 5033 individuals aged 15 years and older who belonged to ethnic minority populations from 12 provinces in Vietnam completed a household survey. The overall prevalence of self-reported non-communicable diseases was 12.

Tobacco and Alcohol Use Among Ethnic Minorities in Vietnam.

This study investigates the prevalence of tobacco and alcohol uses and associated factors among 12 ethnic minorities in Vietnam in 2019. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 5172 people aged ≥15 years. The prevalence of smoking and drinking was 19.

The Utilization of Maternal Healthcare Services Among Ethnic Minority Populations in Vietnam.

Background: Previous studies have observed lower utilization of maternal healthcare services by ethnic minority groups in Vietnam compared with the majority Kinh community. This study sought to assess the utilization of maternal healthcare service-associated factors within 12 ethnic minority groups.

Method: The cross-sectional study enrolled 996 women from 12 ethnic minority groups in Vietnam in 2019.

Improving Breastfeeding by Empowering Mothers in Vietnam: A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Mobile App.

Breastfeeding provides benefits to the infant and mother; however, the rates of breastfeeding, particularly exclusive breastfeeding, remain below optimal levels in many Asian countries. The aim of this study is to review the benefits of breastfeeding to mothers and infants and current rates of breastfeeding in Vietnam, and to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile application on exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Vietnam. A two-arm, parallel triple-blinded randomised controlled trial will be conducted among 1000 mothers in Hanoi City, Vietnam, during 2020-2021.

Guidelines for Complementary Feeding of Infants in the Asia Pacific Region: APACPH Public Health Nutrition Group.

Good nutrition in the first "1000 days," including breastfeeding and appropriate complementary foods, prepares for a healthy childhood and adult life, also contributes to the prevention of the double burden of malnutrition. Exclusive breastfeeding provides all required nutrients until an infant is around 6 months of age when complementary foods are needed. A literature review was undertaken of complementary foods in the Asia Pacific region.

Is evidence-informed urban health planning a myth or reality? Lessons from a qualitative assessment in three Asian cities.

City governments are well-positioned to effectively address urban health challenges in the context of rapid urbanization in Asia. They require good quality and timely evidence to inform their planning decisions. In this article, we report our analyses of degree of data-informed urban health planning from three Asian cities: Dhaka, Hanoi and Pokhara.

Amniocentesis test uptake for congenital defects: Decision of pregnant women in Vietnam.

Our study aimed to identify the knowledge, attitude, and factors associated with uptake of amniocentesis test amongst pregnant women of advanced maternal age (35+ years old). A cross-sectional survey was performed on 481 participants in 2016. Women with higher educational attainment, higher income level, having a baby with congenital defects, and women with better knowledge and/or attitude about amniocentesis test were more likely to accept the test.

Progress on maternal health care in Vietnam: Findings from Vietnam Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2000, 2006, 2011, and 2014.

This paper aims to describe a trend in coverage of maternal care services, and provides a detailed analysis of socio-economic correlations to the existing inequities. The paper uses data from the Vietnam Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2000, 2006, 2011, and 2014. In the MICS, there were 9,117 women in 2000, 9,473 women in 2006, 11,614 women in 2011, and 9,827 women in 2014 participated in.

Using guidelines to improve neonatal health in China and Vietnam: a qualitative study.

Background: Neonatal health (NH) remains a major problem in many countries. Children dying before 28 days often suffer from conditions that are preventable or treatable with proven, cost-effective interventions. The knowledge gaps are no longer about what should be done, but to understand why guidelines including these interventions are not followed.

Prenatal diagnostic services in three regional centers in Vietnam.

Objectives: This study aims to give information on the prenatal diagnostic (PND) services provided in three major regional PND centers in Vietnam.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in early 2014. An inventory of services, human resources, facilities, and equipment and in-depth interviews were carried out.

SEX RATIO AT BIRTH AND THE IDEAL FAMILY IN CHI LINH DISTRICT, VIETNAM.

Chi Linh district, which locates in the Red Delta River region, has been recognized as the "hot pot" of high sex ratio at birth in Vietnam. This paper used community-based periodic Demographic-Epidemiologic Surveillance System (CHILILAB) to describe sex ratio at birth (SRB) and identify social - economic factors that related to the SRB. A total 5,940 births born from August 1, 2004 to August 31, 2011 was included in analysis.