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- Thu, Huong Nguyen, et al.
(författare)
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Breastfeeding practices in urban and rural Vietnam.
- 2012
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Ingår i: BMC public health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 12:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe and compare breastfeeding practices in rural and urban areas of Vietnam and to study associations with possibly influencing person and household factors. This type of study has not been conducted in Vietnam before. METHODS: Totally 2,690 children, born from 1st March 2008 to 30th June 2010 in one rural and one urban Health and Demographic Surveillance Site, were followed from birth to the age of 12 months. Information about demography, economy and education for persons and households was obtained from household surveys. Standard statistical methods including survival and regression analyses were used. RESULTS: Initiation of breastfeeding during the first hour of life was more frequent in the urban area compared to the rural (boys 40% vs. 35%, girls 49% vs. 40%). High birth weight and living in households with large number of assets significantly increased the probability for early initiation of breastfeeding. Exclusive breastfeeding at three months of age was more commonly reported in the rural than in the urban area (boys 58% vs. 46%, girls 65% vs. 53%). The duration of exclusive breastfeeding as well as of any breastfeeding was longer in the rural area than in the urban area (medians for boys 97 days vs. 81 days, for girls 102 days vs. 91 days). The percentages of children with exclusive breastfeeding lasting at least 6 months, as recommended by WHO, were low in both areas. The duration of exclusive breastfeeding was significantly shorter for mothers with three or more antenatal care visits or Caesarean section in both areas. High education level of mothers was associated with longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding in the rural area. No significant associations were found between duration of exclusive breastfeeding and mother's age, household economy indicators or household size. CONCLUSION: Intervention programs with the aim to promote breastfeeding are needed. Mothers should particularly be informed about the importance of starting breastfeeding early and to prolong exclusive breastfeeding. In order to reach the WHO recommendation of six months exclusive breastfeeding, we propose an extended maternity leave legislation to at least six months.
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| 3. |
- Bengtson, Ann, 1947, et al.
(författare)
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The perception of puberty and reproductive health among 12-13 year old children in two secondary schools in Hanoi, Vietnam
- 2012
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Ingår i: Asian Journal of Nursing Education and Research. - 2231-1149. ; 2:4, s. 228-235
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ABSTRACT: Rapid changes in lifestyle in Vietnam have had a significant impact on young people with increasing numbers suffering from sexually transmitted diseases. In addition to changes in lifestyle, Vietnamese adolescents face many other problems including reproductive health. It is therefore important to examine their understanding of these topics. The purpose of this study is to assess Vietnamese adolescents’ views on puberty and reproductive health and the resources that may benefit them. The study consisted of interviews with 24 children aged 12-13 years old in two secondary schools, using an open interview guide and adopting qualitative content analysis. Experiences of puberty, the concepts of sexual intercourse, friendship and love were found to reflect adolescents’ understanding of these issues. The children’s knowledge was limited. Girls, more often than boys, had sought information from movies, books and from more experienced friends. Teachers, parents, and media played an important role in educating adolescents and encouraging them to make the right decisions. The adolescents’ perception of puberty and reproductive health was immature. Adolescents need more information to be able to prepare for their sexuality in addition to cope with the bodily changes.
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| 4. |
- Nguyen, Thi Thanh Huong
(författare)
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Osteoporosis, a major health problem in Vietnam : life style factors and determinants of bone mass
- 2012
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- While the prevalence of osteoporosis and risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) has been well documented in Caucasian populations, there is a lack of data from Asia. This work was designed to clarify to what extent osteoporosis could be regarded as a major public health problem in Vietnam. Furthermore, to elucidate the prevalence of certain risk factors, such as vitamin D deficiency and other determinants of bone mass as a basis to indentify high-risk individuals among the Vietnamese women and men. The clinical studies were designed as cross-sectional investigations using a multistage sampling scheme. Within the setting of northern Vietnam (latitude 21°N), districts were selected to represent urban and rural areas. In total 612 healthy women and 222 men aged 13-83 years were investigated. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip in all qualified subjects with dual energy X-ray absortiometry. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone, estrogen and testosterone were quantified by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Data on clinical history and lifestyle were collected by individual face-to-face interviews. Reference values for peak BMD were defined. These data allowed the calculation of T-scores and thus for the first time, an accurate identification of osteoporosis in a Vietnamese population. As determined at the femoral neck, the prevalence of osteoporosis was 17-23% in women and 9% in men. The results clearly suggest that osteoporosis is an important public health problem. Postmenopausal women living in urban areas experienced osteoporosis more than rural residents. Serum levels of 25(OH)D and estrogen were significantly associated with bone mass in both women and men. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was very high, 30% in women and 16% in men. An experimental study on the isoflavone content of different soymilk preparations was performed by HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography). Values of isoflavones were very low, around 60-80 mg/L, and there were only 10-20% of bioactive aglycones. This is far below the reported threshold levels to exert significant effects on bone. In the future these data will be useful as a valuable reference base to diagnose osteoporosis and for the clinical management of its consequences. The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency should raise the awareness of potentially important health issues such as osteoporosis but also about other serious diseases within the Vietnamese society.
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