BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is the deadliest infectious disease globally. Current case finding approaches may miss many people with TB or detect them too late.Data and methodsThis study was a retrospective, spatial analysis of routine TB surveillance and cadastral data in Go Vap district, Ho Chi Minh City. We geocoded TB notifications from 2011 to 2015 and calculated theoretical yields of simulated door-to-door screening in three concentric catchment areas (50m, 100m, 200m) and three notification window scenarios (one, two and four quarters) for each index case. We calculated average yields, compared them to published reference values and fit a GEE (Generalized Estimating Equation) linear regression model onto the data.ResultsThe sample included 3,046 TB patients. Adjusted theoretical yields in 50m, 100m and 200m catchment areas were 0.32% (95%CI: 0.27,0.37), 0.21% (95%CI: 0.14,0.29) and 0.17% (95%CI: 0.09,0.25), respectively, in the baseline notification window scenario. Theoretical yields in the 50m-catchment area for all notification window scenarios were significantly higher than a reference yield from literature. Yield was positively associated with treatment failure index cases (beta = 0.12, p = 0.001) and short-term inter-province migrants (beta = 0.06, p = 0.022), while greater distance to the DTU (beta = -0.02, p<0.001) was associated with lower yield.ConclusionsThis study is an example of inter-departmental collaboration and application of repurposed cadastral data to progress towards the end TB objectives. The results from Go Vap showed that the use of spatial analysis may be able to identify areas where targeted active case finding in Vietnam can help improve TB case detection.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of avoidable deaths. Economic migrants represent a vulnerable population due to their exposure to medical and social risk factors. These factors expose them to higher risks for TB incidence and poor treatment outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated WHO-defined TB treatment outcomes among economic migrants in an urban district of Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. We measured the association of a patient's government-defined residency status with treatment success and loss to follow-up categories at baseline and performed a comparative interrupted time series (ITS) analysis to assess the impact of community-based adherence support on treatment outcomes. Key measures of interest of the ITS were the differences in step change (β 6) and post-intervention trend (β 7). Results: Short-term, inter-province migrants experienced lower treatment success (aRR = 0.95 [95% CI: 0.92-0.99], p = 0.010) and higher loss to follow-up (aOR = 1.98 [95% CI: 1.44-2.72], p < 0.001) than permanent residents. Intraprovince migrants were similarly more likely to be lost to follow-up (aOR = 1.86 [95% CI: 1.03-3.36], p = 0.041). There was evidence that patients > 55 years of age (aRR = 0.93 [95% CI: 0.89-0.96], p < 0.001), relapse patients (aRR = 0.89 [95% CI: 0.84-0.94], p < 0.001), and retreatment patients (aRR = 0.62 [95% CI: 0.52-0.75], p < 0.001) had lower treatment success rates. TB/HIV co-infection was also associated with lower treatment success (aRR = 0.77 [95% CI: 0.73-0.82], p < 0.001) and higher loss to follow-up (aOR = 2.18 [95% CI: 1.55-3.06], p < 0.001). The provision of treatment adherence support increased treatment success (IRR(β 6) = 1.07 [95% CI: 1.00, 1.15], p = 0.041) and reduced loss to follow-up (IRR(β 6) = 0.17 [95% CI: 0.04, 0.69], p = 0.013) in the intervention districts. Loss to follow-up continued to decline throughout the post-implementation period (IRR(β 7) = 0.90 [95% CI: 0.83, 0.98], p = 0.019).

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of avoidable deaths. Economic migrants represent a vulnerable population due to their exposure to medical and social risk factors. These factors expose them to higher risks for TB incidence and poor treatment outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated WHO-defined TB treatment outcomes among economic migrants in an urban district of Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. We measured the association of a patient’s government-defined residency status with treatment success and loss to follow-up categories at baseline and performed a comparative interrupted time series analysis to assess the impact of community-based adherence support on treatment outcomes. Results: Short-term, inter-province migrants experienced lower treatment success (aRR=0.95 [0.92-0.99], p=0.010) and higher loss to follow-up (aOR=1.98 [1.44-2.72], p<0.001) than permanent residents. Intra-province migrants were similarly more likely to be lost to follow-up (aOR=1.86 [1.03-3.36], p=0.041). There was evidence that patients >55 years of age (aRR=0.93 [0.89-0.96], p<0.001), relapse patients (aRR=0.89 [0.84-0.94], p<0.001), and retreatment patients (aRR=0.62 [0.52-0.75], p<0.001) had lower treatment success rates. TB/HIV co-infection was also associated with lower treatment success (aRR=0.77 [0.73-0.82], p<0.001) and higher loss to follow-up (aOR=2.18 [1.55-3.06], p<0.001). The provision of treatment adherence support increased treatment success (IRR(β 6 )=1.07 [1.00, 1.15], p=0.041) and reduced loss to follow-up (IRR(β 6 )=0.17 [0.04, 0.69], p=0.013) in the intervention districts. Loss to follow-up continued to decline throughout the post-implementation period (IRR(β 7 )=0.90 [0.83, 0.98], p=0.019). Conclusions: Economic migrants, particularly those crossing provincial borders, have higher risk of poor treatment outcomes and should be prioritized for tailored adherence support. In light of accelerating urbanization in many regions of Asia, implementation trials are needed to inform evidence-based design of strategies for this vulnerable population.

Voluntary social insurance (VSI), a type of social insurance organized by the Government, allows participants, who work in the informal sector with unstable jobs and income, to choose the premium and payment methods in accordance with their income for their retirement plan. The rate of Vietnamese laborers participating in VSI is low. This study aims to examine the current situation of VSI participation of laborers, as well as their perception of VSI visibility and assessment of VSI policies and utilization. Results from survey with 293 laborers, including 144 VSI participants and 149 VSI non‐participants, and semi‐structured interviews with 60 stakeholders in two districts in Northern Vietnam show the lack of awareness of VSI existence among non‐VSI participants, and limited knowledge of VSI policies among VSI participants. Although participants endorsed beneficiaries and premium in the retirement plan, they were concerned about the long 20‐year premium payment duration in the situation of unstable jobs and income, and the lack of other benefits, for example, maternity leave and unemployment benefit. Results recommend better propagandas, distributed documents, and educational sessions on VSI policies on mass and social media, as well as at VSI conferences and their workplace.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of avoidable deaths. Economic migrants represent an underserved population due to their exposure to medical and social risk factors, which can affect their health. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated WHO-defined TB treatment outcomes among economic migrants in an urban district of Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. We measured the association of a patient’s government-defined residency status with treatment success and loss to follow-up categories at baseline and performed a comparative interrupted time series analysis to assess the impact of community-based adherence support on treatment outcomes. Results: Short-term, inter-province migrants experienced lower treatment success (aRR=0.95 [0.92-0.99], p=0.010) and higher loss to follow-up (aOR=1.98 [1.44-2.72], p<0.001) than permanent residents. Intra-province migrants were similarly more likely to be lost to follow-up (aOR=1.86 [1.03-3.36], p=0.041). There was evidence that patients >55 years of age (aRR=0.93 [0.89-0.96], p<0.001), relapse patients (aRR=0.89 [0.84-0.94], p<0.001), and retreatment patients (aRR=0.62 [0.52-0.75], p<0.001) had lower treatment success rates. TB/HIV co-infection was also associated with lower treatment success (aRR=0.77 [0.73-0.82], p<0.001) and higher loss to follow-up (aOR=2.18 [1.55-3.06], p<0.001). The provision of treatment adherence support increased treatment success (IRR(β6)=1.07 [1.00, 1.15], p=0.041) and reduced loss to follow-up (IRR(β6)=0.17 [0.04, 0.69], p=0.013) in the intervention districts. Loss to follow-up continued to decline throughout the post-implementation period (IRR(β7)=0.90 [0.83, 0.98], p=0.019). Conclusions: Economic migrants, particularly those crossing provincial borders, have higher risk of poor treatment outcomes and should be prioritized for tailored adherence support. In light of accelerating urbanization in many regions of Asia, implementation trials are needed to inform evidence-based design of strategies for this vulnerable population.

Even though the matter was not widely acknowledged, informal recycling plays a vital role in waste treatment in many developing countries. In Vietnam, the management of waste collection and treatment faces many difficulties, as there is no statistical data or description of the informal sector in waste collection and recycling to clarify their role, their scale, and their capacity. This paper presents the preliminary data processed by informal waste collectors and aggregators in six Vietnamese cities, namely, Vinh, Nha Trang, Buon Ma Thuot, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh, and Hanoi. The surveys were conducted from January 2017 to December 2019 by the JEAI Recycurbs Viet project [1] and then from August 2019 to December 2020 in the framework of the COMPOSE project (2019–2021) [2] . Geographical and sociology data of aggregators will demonstrate the overall background of the presence, spatial allocation, and the establishment process of aggregators in the surveyed cities to find the patterns of establishment and operations of these aggregators. The data will be the basis for the development of policy making on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Vietnam.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of avoidable deaths. Economic migrants represent a vulnerable population due to their exposure to medical and social risk factors. These factors expose them to higher risks for TB incidence and poor treatment outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated WHO-defined TB treatment outcomes among economic migrants in an urban district of Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. We measured the association of a patient’s government-defined residency status with treatment success and loss to follow-up categories at baseline and performed a comparative interrupted time series (ITS) analysis to assess the impact of community-based adherence support on treatment outcomes. Key measures of interest of the ITS were the differences in step change (β6) and post-intervention trend (β7). Results: Short-term, inter-province migrants experienced lower treatment success (aRR=0.95 [95% CI: 0.92-0.99], p=0.010) and higher loss to follow-up (aOR=1.98 [95% CI: 1.44-2.72], p<0.001) than permanent residents. Intra-province migrants were similarly more likely to be lost to follow-up (aOR=1.86 [95% CI: 1.03-3.36], p=0.041). There was evidence that patients >55 years of age (aRR=0.93 [95% CI: 0.89-0.96], p<0.001), relapse patients (aRR=0.89 [95% CI: 0.84-0.94], p<0.001), and retreatment patients (aRR=0.62 [95% CI: 0.52-0.75], p<0.001) had lower treatment success rates. TB/HIV co-infection was also associated with lower treatment success (aRR=0.77 [95% CI: 0.73-0.82], p<0.001) and higher loss to follow-up (aOR=2.18 [95% CI: 1.55-3.06], p<0.001). The provision of treatment adherence support increased treatment success (IRR(β6)=1.07 [95% CI: 1.00, 1.15], p=0.041) and reduced loss to follow-up (IRR(β6)=0.17 [95% CI: 0.04, 0.69], p=0.013) in the intervention districts. Loss to follow-up continued to decline throughout the post-implementation period (IRR(β7)=0.90 [95% CI: 0.83, 0.98], p=0.019). Conclusions: Economic migrants, particularly those crossing provincial borders, have higher risk of poor treatment outcomes and should be prioritized for tailored adherence support. In light of accelerating urbanization in many regions of Asia, implementation trials are needed to inform evidence-based design of strategies for this vulnerable population.

Vietnam has achieved significant progress in reducing undernutrition over the past several decades, but ethnic minority groups are being systematically left behind and this is limiting progress on national reductions. The Vietnam Story of Change in Nutrition study aims to understand the history, contemporary treatment, and future of nutrition in Vietnam, including policy and practice in relation to undernutrition with a focus on equity for Vietnam's 53 ethnic minority groups. This brief aims to highlight the main findings and give recommendations on how to tackle the remaining pockets of high malnutrition in Vietnam.