Vitamin A deficiency is one of the major nutritional deficiencies in Vietnam. The first survey, conducted in 1985-1988 showed that the prevalence of severe xerophthalmia was seven times higher than the cutoff point established by the World Health Organization (WHO) to define vitamin A deficiency as a public health problem. The result of this survey strongly convinced the government to launch a program to control vitamin A deficiency, which started in 1988. The program strategies included nutrition education, universal distribution of high-dose vitamin A capsules to children aged 6 to 36 months in combination with national immunization days, and promotion of production and consumption of vitamin A-rich foods at the family level. The implementation network was set up based on the existing preventive health structure at all administrative levels. Organizations such as the women's union and other social sectors have participated actively in the program. Surveys conducted in 1994 and 1998 showed that the prevalence of clinical xerophthalmia was significantly lower than that identified in the baseline survey and below the WHO criteria for a public health problem. The achievements of our program have demonstrated that an effective vitamin A supplementation program can be implemented successfully by the preventive health network with active community participation. In the coming years, it will be important for our program to develop approaches other than vitamin A supplementation in order to maintain the past achievements.
Abstract-This article reports research on the influences of age and power relations on Vietnamese tertiary students of non-English majors in making spoken invitations in English. The investigation also captures the need for socially oriented explanations of the English language learning and using through the speech act of inviting. The study found that these learners' ways of inviting are significantly affected by the Vietnamese culture. In the act of inviting a 23-year-old teacher of English to the class exhibition or graduation party, all students interviewed made their invitations formally, hesitantly and indirectly to show their politeness and respect towards the invitee who has power or authority over them. In the situation of inviting a fifty-year-old acquaintance to a birthday party or a concert, 17 participants out of 20 gave tentative expressions to the invitee who is much older than they are. The results also show that the students regarded themselves as the subordinates to an acquaintance who is on a level with their parents in the Vietnamese system of hierarchy; therefore, they used humble language with conventional terms of addressing (uncle and auntie) to the invitee and expressed their concern about the invitee's health condition. In the context of inviting a close friend or a classmate at the same age to have a cup of coffee, the subjects reveal their beat-about-the-bush style of speaking.
Introduction: Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) is a multiple therapy used for opiate dependence. It is combined with psychological therapies that aim at supporting individuals, families, and communities in improving their health, reducing criminal activities, and minimising risky behaviours for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Retention in treatment is associated with a successful outcome of MMT.
Material and methods:Provided since 2008 in Vietnam, MMT has been implemented in Can Tho province since 2010. However, its dropout rate is high: nearly 40% from 2010 to 2015. Evidence is insufficient to understand the factors that influence the drop out rates among MMT patients in Vietnam, and more especially in Can Tho province. There is an urgent need to better understand the reasons and the context in which MMT dropouts occur, in order to inform the development of policies and programmes that can improve adherence to MMT in Can Tho.Results: Qualitative interviews have been conducted with 17 methadone clients (dropouts and current), 4 health workers and 3 family members of clients. Barriers to retention in treatment included individual factors, community factors and institutional factors.
Conclusions:The factors influencing the decision to drop out among MMT clients could be at individual, community, or institutional levels. This study suggests that increasing meaningful involvement of the clients' families and strengthening counselling sessions on adherence for clients can improve their retention in treatment and thus the MMT outcomes.
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