Child injury prevention in Vietnam: achievements and challenges

Abstract

As with other South Asian countries, injury is becoming a leading cause of death and morbidity among children in Vietnam. In response to the increasing burden of child injury, government and non-government agencies in Vietnam have combined efforts during the last decade to develop and implement various child injury prevention strategies and programmes. This article provides, through a review of relevant documents and interviews with major stakeholders, an overview of these efforts and highlights major challenges to child injury prevention in the country. The findings point to notable achievements in terms of increasing awareness of injury facing children at all levels in the community and developing a sound injury prevention policy framework in a relatively short period of time. However, much needs to be done to implement necessary environmental and legislative changes, strengthen child injury surveillance and injury prevention research; and to improve access to health services. The insight into the experience of Vietnam could benefit other low- and middle-income countries with a high burden of child injury.

Causes of accidental childhood deaths in China in 2010: A systematic review and analysis

“…Some middle–income countries, such as Viet Nam, have already moved towards tackling childhood unintentional injuries systematically, though specific policies. The establishment of a National Policy on Injury Prevention has resulted in an increased awareness to the problem of unintentional injuries in children in Viet Nam and has given some direction for preventative efforts [ 25 ]. Educational campaigns, swimming lessons, legislation and enforcement of helmet wearing for the population aged over 6 years and creating safer homes, schools and community environments have all been implemented to some degree throughout the country [ 25 ].…”

Pediatric Trauma Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Brief Review of the Current State and Recommendations for Management and a Way Forward

“…Multiple studies have shown that injuries in children are preventable through the combination of education, legislation and enforcement, environmental modifications, and promotion of safer products and safety devices. 59 Recognition of an "epidemiologic transition" in LMICs from acute infectious diseases and malnutrition to injuries as a leading cause of mortality is important. 60 Key to decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with childhood injuries is the concept of injury control.…”

“…In Vietnam for example, significant inroads have been made in raising community awareness about injury prevention and legislation mandating helmet use by all riders and passengers on motorcycles has the potential to decrease morbidity and mortality in a country where these are the principal mode of transportation. 59 The Road Safety in 10 Countries project has made some progress in reducing injuries from RTI in the countries involved. 60 In Bangladesh, the Saving of Lives from Drowning project aims to reduce the high burden of childhood drowning and is one of the largest childhood-drowning-prevention projects ever undertaken in LMICs.…”

Road traffic injury among young people in Vietnam: evidence from two rounds of national adolescent health surveys, 2004–2009

“…Recognizing the huge burden of such loss, the United Nations launched an initiative in 2011 called a ‘Decade of Action for Road Safety’ with the aim of stabilizing and then reducing global road deaths by 2020 (1). With dramatic economic growth and the improvement of living standards, Vietnam has experienced a rapidly growing number of motor vehicles on its roads in recent years; however, motorcycles still represent the main mode of transport with 26,869,025 motorcycles registered in 2010 (2). The pattern of unintentional injury of adolescents and young adults in Vietnam had previously been periodically studied in several surveys.…”

“…However, no in-depth analysis has been performed specifically for motorcycle riding, helmet use and prevalence of RTI by demographic characteristics, particularly the risk factors associated with RTI among Vietnamese youths. This paper (1) compares the prevalence of motorcycling, helmet use and prevalence of RTI among youths in Vietnam in 2004 and again in 2009 and (2) determines the risk and protective factors associated with RTI among Vietnamese youths.…”