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OPTIMIZATION OF FERMENTATION MEDIUM FOR SPORE PRODUCTION OF Paenibacillus polymyxa IN937a AND ITS ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY
In this study, we optimized the fermentation medium for spore production of Paenibacillus polymyxa IN937a. Seven factors including molasses, glucose, magnesium sulfate, potassium pyrophosphate, yeast extract, zinc sulfate, and ammonium sulfate are selected as the basis for the screening of factors affecting the spore production of P. polymyxa IN937a by the Plackett-Burman experiment. Based on the analysis of the Plackett-Burman matrix, the result showed that yeast extract, molasses, and ammonium sulfate were the three main impact factors (P < 0.05), which affected the yield of P. polymyxa IN937a spores. Then, the optimum combination of the three factors was subsequently optimized by the response surface methodology (RSM) using Box-Behnken design to increase the spore production in P. polymyxa IN937a fermentation. The obtained results by RSM predicted that maximum spore density of P. polymyxa IN937a was 6.606×109 spore/mL after 48 hours of the experiment when the appropriate medium for the spore production of P. polymyxa IN937a included yeast extract 14.44 g/L, molasses 19.14 g/L, and ammonium sulfate 0.20 g/L. In addition, the antifungal activity of P. polymyxa IN937a was also tested in this study. The preliminary results of in vitro antifungal activity indicated that P. polymyxa IN937a had a good inhibition on the growth of two phytopathogenic fungal strains Sclerotium rolfsii and Rhizoctonia solani. These results could be used for further research on the fermentation of P. polymyxa IN937a on a pilot scale to obtain the optimal number of spores for use in the development of biological crop protection products.
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ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF STREPTOMYCES ISOLATES FROM CON DAO NATIONAL FOREST
Streptomyces are considered the most potential microbes with the ability to produce antimicrobial and anticancer agents. These bacteria are found mostly in soil across the globe and play a pivotal role in material recycling processes. Isolation of Streptomyces in Vietnam has been conducted for years. However, there are few investigations on protected regions which have very little exchanging activities. This project aims to explore the resource for antimicrobial activity of Streptomyces isolated from Con Son Island (Con Dao). Eighteen soil samples were collected in different surface lands in Con Dao and cleaned prior to culturing and isolation. Twenty-five isolates (named from C1 to C25) were obtained from ISP4 agar plates and stored in glycerol 30% at -80oC. Liquid cultures were established in 3 different media (ISP4, Gause I and TSB) for all isolates. Broth collected from cultures at stationary phase was extracted with ethyl acetate at the ratio 1:1 (v/v) followed with antimicrobial tests against three bacterial and two fungal microorganisms (S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli, C. albicans, A. parasiticus). Sixty percent of isolates show activity against at least one microbe. The isolates C13, C22 and C24 showed the ability to inhibit both bacteria and fungi tested. Results from C13 and C22 express remarkable activity to prevent the growth of B. subtilis and C. albicans, respectively. This study suggests the potential of Streptomyces from the investigated area and recommends more optimization of the culture condition as well as extractions with other solvents to get better antimicrobial activities.
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GROWTH ASSESSMENT OF VARIOUS FORMULAE OF ESSENTIAL MINERALS AND TRACE ELEMENTS ON WHITELEG SHRIMP AT DIFFERENT SALINITIES
Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is now the main species cultivated in various geographic locations. Whiteleg shrimp have a wide range of salinity tolerance, but a matter of deficiency of minerals and trace elements need to be taken care of when shrimp are grown in low saline area. It may induce higher mortality and slower growth performances of shrimp. Two stages of shrimp juveniles were subsequently tested with different formulae of a liquid nutraceutical of essential minerals and trace elements. Each stage was performed in a 28-day trial with follow-up parameters of shrimp growth indices and environmental changes throughout the tests. The use of mineral supplementation in whiteleg shrimp diet in low salinity area significantly increased growth performance, survival rate and color intensity. This study has demonstrated the efficacy of a liquid form of mineral supplement product administered by top-coating onto the feed to shrimp during 4 weeks of grow-out at 5‰ salinity, but the application was dependent on formula and dose. Further research on application regime using this liquid mineral product should be performed to optimize a protocol for a whole culture crop as different stages of shrimp may require different supplementation doses.
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Scaling up rural sanitation in Vietnam: political economy constraints and opportunities
This paper presents the findings of one of two country case studies conducted as part of a broader project entitled ‘Analysing the governance and political economy of water and sanitation service delivery’. The objective of the research project is to develop the utility of political economy analysis for the water supply and sanitation (WSS) sector, with a focus on improving the operational impact of DFID (and other donor) country programming. While the objective of the case study is therefore to inform the development of DFID’s approach to sector-level political economy analysis (PEA), the paper and the research that underpins the paper have been undertaken with the primary goal of working with the staff and development partners of the DFID-Vietnam country office to think through the implications of a problem-driven political economy analysis approach for addressing the issues encountered in their work. The particular topic focused on in this case study is provision of sanitation in rural areas.
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Alien and invasive plant species and their risk in National Parks of Vietnam
Invasive species cause economic, or environment harm or harm to human health. They have identified elsewhere in the world, yet their introduction and effect have not documented in Vietnam yet. Of 134 alien species, 25 invasive plants species were discovered at 10 nation parks scattered through-out Vietnam. The risk of invasive species was assessed for three national parks, and their risks were different. For examples, Chromolaena odorata and Mimosa diplotricha are highest risk at Cat Ba National Park. However, Mikania micrantha Kunth., Chromolaena odorata, and Mimosa diplotricha cause more risk at Son Tra natural conservation area. Whilst Mimosa pigra, Panicum repens, and Eichhornia crassipes are significantly impact at Tram Chim National Park.
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Controlling HIV epidemics among Injection drug users: eight years of cross-border HIV prevention interventions in Vietnam and China
Introduction HIV in Vietnam and Southern China is driven by injection drug use. We have implemented HIV prevention interventions for IDUs since 2002–2003 in Lang Son and Ha Giang Provinces, Vietnam and Ning Ming County (Guangxi), China. Methods Interventions provide peer education and needle/syringe distribution. Evaluation employed serial cross-sectional surveys of IDUs 26 waves from 2002 to 2011, including interviews and HIV testing. Outcomes were HIV risk behaviors, HIV prevalence and incidence. HIV incidence estimation used two methods: 1) among new injectors from prevalence data; and 2) a capture enzyme immunoassay (BED testing) on all HIV+ samples. Results We found significant declines in drug-related risk behaviors and sharp reductions in HIV prevalence among IDUs (Lang Son from 46% to 23% [p<0.001], Ning Ming: from 17% to 11% [p = 0.003], and Ha Giang: from 51% to 18% [p<0.001]), reductions not experienced in other provinces without such interventions. There were significant declines in HIV incidence to low levels among new injectors through 36–48 months, then some rebound, particularly in Ning Ming, but BED-based estimates revealed significant reductions in incidence through 96 months. Discussion This is one of the longest studies of HIV prevention among IDUs in Asia. The rebound in incidence among new injectors may reflect sexual transmission. BED-based estimates may overstate incidence (because of false-recent results in patients with long-term infection or on ARV treatment) but adjustment for false-recent results and survey responses on duration of infection generally confirm BED-based incidence trends. Combined trends from the two estimation methods show sharp declines in incidence to low levels. The significant downward trends in all primary outcome measures indicate that the Cross-Border interventions played an important role in bringing HIV epidemics among IDUs under control. The Cross-Border project offers a model of HIV prevention for IDUs that should be considered for large-scale replication
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International Students in Their Own Countr y: Motivation of V ietnamese Graduate Students to Attend Vietnamese-German University
Vietnamese German University (VGU), a new engineering and technology university near Ho Chi Minh City, is a collaborative effort between the German and Vietnamese governments. In this study, I highlight the motivation of Vietnamese graduate students for attending a foreign university, in essence becoming international students in their own country. Findings highlight the intersection between the global, national, and local levels of influence in transnational higher education.
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Does Exchange Rate Policy Matter for Economic Growth? Vietnam Evidence from a Co-integration Approach
Both economic growth and exchange rate theories suggest that the exchange rate regime could have consequences for the medium-term growth of a country, directly, through its effects on the adjustment to shocks, and indirectly, through its impact on the important determinants of growth. It is, however, surprising that there was little empirical work investigating the indirect relationship between the exchange rate policy and economics growth in the case of a specific country. In a co-integration framework, our research attempts to fill the gap by econometrically investigating the possible impacts of exchange rate regime on economic growth through two main channels - Foreign direct investment (FDI) and Exports - in the case of Vietnam - a successful example of a transitional economy
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Stratification and the emergence of the postsecondary private education sector in Vietnam
Vietnam has a strong public postsecondary education sector that has only recently begun to experience growth in nonpublic institutions. I investigate how the growth of nonpublic institutions may be related to stratification in Vietnam. I find that these institutions are more likely to serve more advantaged students from South Vietnam. Students pay higher costs to attend them; however, they choose more lucrative fields, perhaps as a way to ensure good returns to this investment. This research suggests that as the private sector in Vietnam expands, the influence of family background and region of residence on postsecondary attendance may grow.
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The Influence of Culture on Agroecosystem Structure: A Comparison of the Spatial Patterns of Homegardens of Different Ethnic Groups in Thailand and Vietnam
Different ethnic groups have evolved distinctive cultural models which guide their interactions with the environment, including their agroecosystems. Although it is probable that variations in the structures of homegardens among separate ethnic groups reflect differences in the cultural models of the farmers, empirical support for this assumption is limited. In this paper the modal horizontal structural patterns of the homegardens of 8 ethnic groups in Northeast Thailand and Vietnam are described. Six of these groups (5 speaking Tai languages and 1 speaking Vietnamese) live in close proximity to each other in separate villages in Northeast Thailand, and 2 of the groups (one Tai-speaking and one Vietnamese-speaking) live in different parts of Vietnam. Detailed information on the horizontal structure of homegardens was collected from samples of households belonging to each group. Although each ethnic group has a somewhat distinctive modal structure, the groups cluster into 2 different types. The Tai speaking Cao Lan, Kalaeng, Lao, Nyaw, and Yoy make up Type I while both of the Vietnamese groups, along with the Tai speaking Phu Thai, belong to Type II. Type I gardens have predominantly organic shapes, indeterminate boundaries, polycentric planting patterns, and multi-species composition within planting areas. Type II homegardens have geometric shapes, sharp boundaries, lineal planting patterns, and mono-species composition of planting areas. That the homegardens of most of the Tai ethnic groups share a relatively similar horizontal structural pattern that is quite different from the pattern shared by both of the Vietnamese groups suggests that the spatial layout of homegardens is strongly influenced by their different cultural models.
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Community perceptions of targeted anti-malarial mass drug administrations in two provinces in Vietnam: a quantitative survey.
Background As part of a targeted malaria elimination project, mass drug administrations (MDAs) were conducted in Vietnam. The impact of MDAs on malaria transmission depends largely on the efficacy of the anti-malarial drug regimen, the malaria epidemiology in the site and the population coverage. To explore why some people participate in MDAs and others do not, a quantitative survey of the villagers’ perceptions was undertaken in Vietnam. Methods In 2013/2014 MDAs were conducted in a village in Binh Phuoc province and a village in Ninh Thuan province. Within three months of the drug administration, 59 respondents in a village in Binh Phuoc and 79 respondents in a village in Ninh Thuan were randomly selected and interviewed. Results Comprehension of the purpose of the intervention was of paramount importance for participation in the intervention. Respondents aware that the intervention aims to protect against malaria were significantly more likely to participate than respondents who were unaware of the MDA’s purpose. Secondly, how and by whom villagers were informed was critical for participation. There was a strong association between sensitization by an informant such as a member of the local health team with participation in the intervention. Conclusions The study suggests several approaches to increase participation in mass drug administration campaigns. Training trustworthy informants to sensitize the study population is critical to maximize village participation in this setting. To achieve high coverage the entire community must understand and agree with the intervention.
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Merging science into community adaptation planning processes: a cross-site comparison of four distinct areas of the lower Mekong basin.
Climate change is increasingly affecting rural areas worldwide. The Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) is at particular risk due to heat stress, changing rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, and more frequent and extreme climatic events. It is imperative that local-level adaptation plans are developed in a manner that builds resilience to these growing threats. Strategies for developing adaptation plans tend to comprise predominantly science-led or predominantly community-led processes. This study examines an approach that balances inputs from both processes in characterizing community vulnerability as a component of the adaptation planning workflow. Evaluation sites are located within four distinct sub-regions of the LMB: the Vietnam Mekong Delta, the Annamite Mountains of Lao PDR, the Cambodia central lowlands, and the mid-elevation forests of northern Thailand. Our results indicate that by merging science-based data with community-level perspective, knowledge gaps from both sides are filled and a more comprehensive understanding of vulnerability is factored into adaptation planning.
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Prevalence and factors associated with teen pregnancy in Vietnam: results from two national surveys
This study asked two broad questions: (1) what is the prevalence of teen pregnancy in contemporary Vietnam; and (2) what selected social, family, and individual factors are associated with teen pregnancy in Vietnam? The study utilized Vietnam Survey Assessment of Vietnamese Youth surveys conducted in 2003 and 2008 to answer the two research questions within the context of fast political, economic, and social change in Vietnam in the last two decades. Results of this study show that the prevalence of pregnancy among Vietnamese teenagers in the surveys was stable at 4%, or 40 pregnancies per 1000 adolescent girls aged 14 to 19. Age, experience of domestic violence, and early sexual debut were positively correlated with higher odds of teenage pregnancy for both survey cohorts; however, being an ethnic minority, educational attainment, sexual education at school, Internet use, and depressive symptoms were significantly related to teenage pregnancy only in the 2008 cohort.
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Hygiene and sanitation promotion strategies among ethnic minority communities in Northern Vietnam: a stakeholder analysis
Effective rural hygiene and sanitation promotion (RHSP) is a major challenge for many low-income countries. This paper investigates strategies and stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities in RHSP implementation in a multi-ethnic area of northern Vietnam, in order to identify lessons learned for future RHSP. A stakeholder analysis was performed, based on 49 semi-structured individual interviews and one group interview with stakeholders in RHSP in a northern province of Vietnam. Participants came from three sectors (agriculture, health and education), unions supported by the Vietnamese government and from four administrative levels (village, commune, district and province). The study villages represented four ethnic minority groups including lowland and highland communities. Stakeholders’ roles, responsibilities and promotion methods were outlined, and implementation constraints and opportunities were identified and analysed using thematic content analysis. Effective RHSP in Vietnam is severely constrained despite supporting policies and a multi-sectorial and multi-level framework. Four main barriers for effective implementation of RHSP were identified: (1) weak inter-sectorial collaborations; (2) constraints faced by frontline promoters; (3) almost exclusive information-based and passive promotion methods applied; and (4) context unadjusted promotion strategies across ethnic groups, including a limited focus on socio-economic differences, language barriers and gender roles in the target groups. Highland communities were identified as least targeted and clearly in need of more intensive and effective RHSP. It is recommended that the Vietnamese government gives priority to increasing capacities of and collaboration among stakeholders implementing RHSP activities. This should focus on frontline promoters to perform effective behaviour change communication. It is also recommended to support more participatory and community-based initiatives, which can address the complex socio-economic and cultural determinants of health in multi-ethnic population groups. These lessons learned can improve future RHSP in Vietnam and are also of relevance for health promotion in other minority population groups in the region and globally.
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Comparing the Australian national health system with the Vietnamese national health system from the perspective of future challenges.
Background: Performance of a health system can be accessed using the primary goals of responsiveness to the expectation of the population, financial contribution fairness and good health. Results depend fundamentally on how well systems carry out four vital functions: financing, resource generation, stewardship, and service provision. Aim: To analyse and compare the Australian national health system with the Vietnamese national health system from the perspective of future challenges such as chronic disease, advancing information technologies and expenditure. To discuss the implications for health policy considering social, environmental and economic factors for each country. Method: A systematic literature search was undertaken using the literature databases Medline OVID, Embase and PubMed, accessed through the Southern Cross University (SCU) and The Royal Melbourne Hospital library websites. Key terms: ‘Australian healthcare system’, 'Vietnam Healthcare system', 'National health system’, were identified. When broadened, other key terms were used in database to optimize the search strategies. The search was restricted to English articles published between 1949 to the present. Reference reading list and online weekly content from SCU discussion forum, when combined with the results of the literature search, provided robust resources to compare Australia’s national health system with Vietnam’s health system from the perspective of future challenges. Conclusion: Performance of health systems has been a major concern of policy makers for many years. Health systems cannot afford to only focus on improving people’s health alone but also protecting them against the burden of financial costs of illness. The challenge facing policy makers of low income countries, such as Vietnam, is to reduce out-of-pocket payment for health by developing prepayment schemes, which is intended to expand financial risk and reduce the spectre of on-going health payments.
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Addressing problems at small-scale biogas plants: A case study from central Vietnam.
The anaerobic digestion process is an important technology in improving the environment because it solves organic waste management problems and simultaneously produces both biogas and fertiliser. The use of biogas plants has been spreading in many developing countries, bringing various operational problems with their widening use. This study attempts to identify the problems with this technology at the level of owners of biogas plants (n = 141) and local facilitators (n = 9) in central Vietnam. A survey was conducted from July to September 2012. The methods of data collection included focus group discussions, semi-structured personal interviews and a questionnaire survey. The survey revealed that 29% of biogas plant owners have experienced at least one problem with this technology. The most frequently encountered problem is linked to leakages from reactors leading to undesired CH4 emissions, which sometimes stopped the biogas plants from functioning. Other problems concern the failure of biogas cookers to properly function with solid digestate incrustation floating in the main tank, resulting in decreased biogas production. The respondents call for better-trained builders and facilitators, who are often unable to solve difficulties encountered with BGPs. The importance of a working information flow between actors is demonstrated. The study also involves the calculation of the payback period of biogas plants. The findings show a linear relationship between the payback period and biogas plant-owners' satisfaction with biogas technology, biogas production and the biogas programme. In addition, the study recommends improvements in the skills of facilitators because they have a direct impact on the quality of training of BGP owners and builders. In conclusion, this study provided an innovative problem analysis of biogas technology along with appropriate recommendations. It demonstrated the need for further research on the eradication of problems associated with biogas technology.
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Does economic inequality affect the quality of life of older people in rural Vietnam?
By combining data from the 2011 Vietnam National Aging Survey and the 2011 Rural, Agricultural and Fishery Census, this study examined whether expenditure inequality has any effect on the quality of life (life satisfaction or happiness) among the elderly in rural Vietnam. It was confirmed from our regression analysis that individuals who live in the communes with high inequality tend to self-report as being less happy, even after controlling for various individual and household attributes. The findings are robust to the choice of inequality measures and the specification of econometric models. We also find that older rural people who are farmers or poor are more sensitive to inequality. Given that these people tend to be less happy than others, the result shows the risk that inequality further lowers their subjective well-being. This finding, in part, supports the view that rural Vietnam is not a mobile society.
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Impact of Education and Network for Avian InfluenzaH5N1 in Human: Knowledge, Clinical Practice, and Motivation on Medical Providers in Vietnam
Background Knowledge, clinical practice, and professional motivation of medical providers relating to H5N1 infection have an important influence on care for H5N1 patients who require early diagnosis and early medical intervention. Methods/Principal Findings Novel educational programs including training and workshops for medical providers relating to H5N1 infection in Vietnam were originally created and implemented in 18 provincial hospitals in northern Vietnam between 2008 and 2010. A self-administered, structured questionnaire survey was conducted in 8 provincial hospitals where both educational training and workshops were previously provided. A total of 326 medical providers, including physicians, nurses, and laboratory technicians who attended or did not attend original programs were enrolled in the survey. Knowledge, clinical attitudes and practice (KAP), including motivation surrounding caring for H5N1 patients, were evaluated. The study indicated a high level of knowledge and motivation in all professional groups, with especially high levels in laboratory technicians. Conferences and educational programs were evaluated to be the main scientific information resources for physicians, along with information from colleagues. The chest radiographs and the initiation of antiviral treatment in the absence of RT-PCR result were identified as gaps in education. Factors possibly influencing professional motivation for caring for H5N1 patients included healthcare profession, the hospital where the respondents worked, age group, attendance at original educational programs and at educational programs which were conducted by international health-related organizations. Conclusions Educational programs provide high knowledge and motivation for medical providers in Vietnam caring for H5N1 patients. Additional educational programs related to chest radiographs and an initiation of treatment in the absence of RT-PCR are needed. Networking is also necessary for sharing updated scientific information and practical experiences. These enhanced KAPs by educational programs and integrated systems among hospitals should result in appropriate care for H5N1 patients and may reduce morbidity and mortality.
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Collect more, spend better : public investment in Asian frontier markets.
We use a dynamic small open economy model to explore the macroeconomic impact of alternative public investment scaling-up scenarios, analyzing how improving the efficiency of capital spending and of tax revenue collection affect growth and debt sustainability for three fast-growing Southeast Asian economies: Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. We show that a gradual public investment profile is more favorable than front-loading capital spending because we assume governments are able to gradually learn how to invest more efficiently, accelerating public capital accumulation and therefore growth. We discuss the pros and cons of alternative financing options and identify the financing mix that generates the best macroeconomic outcome. Sometimes overlooked, improving the efficiency of revenue collection over time may ease the burden of fiscal adjustment, achieving higher GDP growth with substantially lower debt-to-GDP ratios, and will help policymakers efficiently meet the challenge of addressing large infrastructure gaps while maintaining debt sustainability.
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The impact of TPP and RCEP on tea exports from Vietnam: the case of tariff elimination and pesticide policy cooperation.
Regional trade agreements are the dominant arrangement for economic integration. What does a dual membership mean for countries participating in multiple regional negotiations? We address the question from the perspective of tea exporters in Vietnam, a member of both the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Focusing on the removal of tariffs and the cooperation on pesticide residue standards, we find that the TPP agreement will raise Vietnam's tea exports by about $4 million a year if TPP endorses Codex standards. However, Vietnamese tea exports will decline if TPP endorses American standards, unless sufficient technical assistance is provided. After the RCEP agreement takes effect, tea exporters from China and India will further penetrate the TPP markets by re-exporting from Vietnam.
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Burden of Hospital Acquired Infections and Antimicrobial Use in Vietnamese Adult Intensive Care Units
BACKGROUND: Vietnam is a lower middle-income country with no national surveillance system for hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). We assessed the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial use in adult intensive care units (ICUs) across Vietnam. METHODS: Monthly repeated point prevalence surveys were systematically conducted to assess HAI prevalence and antimicrobial use in 15 adult ICUs across Vietnam. Adults admitted to participating ICUs before 08:00 a.m. on the survey day were included. RESULTS: Among 3287 patients enrolled, the HAI prevalence was 29.5% (965/3266 patients, 21 missing). Pneumonia accounted for 79.4% (804/1012) of HAIs Most HAIs (84.5% [855/1012]) were acquired in the survey hospital with 42.5% (363/855) acquired prior to ICU admission and 57.5% (492/855) developed during ICU admission. In multivariate analysis, the strongest risk factors for HAI acquired in ICU were: intubation (OR 2.76), urinary catheter (OR 2.12), no involvement of a family member in patient care (OR 1.94), and surgery after admission (OR 1.66). 726 bacterial isolates were cultured from 622/1012 HAIs, most frequently Acinetobacter baumannii (177/726 [24.4%]), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (100/726 [13.8%]), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (84/726 [11.6%]), with carbapenem resistance rates of 89.2%, 55.7%, and 14.9% respectively. Antimicrobials were prescribed for 84.8% (2787/3287) patients, with 73.7% of patients receiving two or more. The most common antimicrobial groups were third generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and carbapenems (20.1%, 19.4%, and 14.1% of total antimicrobials, respectively). CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of HAIs was observed, mainly caused by Gram-negative bacteria with high carbapenem resistance rates. This in combination with a high rate of antimicrobial use illustrates the urgent need to improve rational antimicrobial use and infection control efforts.
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Strengthening Public Health Surveillance and Response to Foodborne Outbreaks in Southern Vietnam
The five studies (I to V) in this dissertation describe and evaluate the public health surveillance systems and responses to foodborne outbreaks in Southern Vietnam from 2009 to 2013. Studies I to IV aim to identify vehicles, sources, causative agents, and risk factors associated with the outbreaks. These studies use various analytic methods to identify gaps and shortcomings in the surveillance and investigation of foodborne outbreaks. Study V then evaluates food-handlers' food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices at large canteens. The main findings of these studies help to identify feasible approaches to build capacity and improve public health practices in resource-poor settings. --- We identified likely outbreak vehicles and sources in four outbreak investigations and risk factors contributing to these outbreaks, in particular inadequate personal hygiene and food hygiene practices of food-handlers. Additionally, findings of outbreak investigations showed that only severe cases sought care at hospitals, clinicians alerted public health officials to suspected outbreaks, and that these notifications were usually delayed. The notifiable disease system are generally unable to detect clusters of cases or suspected foodborne outbreaks, and foodborne notification/complaint systems were not set up to receive FBD complaints from the public. Currently, outbreak investigation reports are the only method used to track food safety, but these reports usually contain only limited information. In addition, standard epidemiologic methods were not appropriately applied in most investigations in Southern Vietnam. --- In Study V, we conducted a large survey on food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and on the training needs of food-handlers in large canteens. Of the 909 food-handlers participating in the study, knowledge, attitudes, and practices were considered adequate for 26%, 36%, and 26%, respectively. The number of food-handlers reporting adequate KAP in schools was about twice as high as the number of such food-handlers in factory canteens in industrial manufacturing zones. Food-handlers' suggestions for training needs included appropriate location of the training venue at the workplace, involvement of managers, fewer trainees per course, more practical exercises, and longer course duration. --- In these studies, we found that public health surveillance systems for food safety are mainly based on foodborne outbreak investigations, response capacities to foodborne outbreaks are limited, and food-handlers' KAP are poor. We therefore recommend the following: i) For public health surveillance and response in resource-poor settings, food safety authorities and policy-makers should consider including syndromic surveillance and notification/complaint systems in food safety systems, based on existing notifiable disease reporting for infectious diseases. ii) The Vietnam Field Epidemiology Training Program should develop a strategy and plan to train outbreak response teams at all administrative levels. iii) Efforts to educate food-handlers, together with supportive supervision conducted by managers, have great potential to improve food-handlers' KAP, especially among those working in large factory canteens. iv) Further studies should investigate contributing factors in food preparation and foodborne outbreaks, the burden of foodborne diseases, and most important source.
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Historic drought and salinity intrusion in the Mekong Delta in 2016: Lessons learned and response solutions
During the dry season of 2015-2016, the Mekong Delta had suffered the worst historic drought and salinity intrusion occurrence on record, causing heavy damages to nine coastal provinces (in total 13 provinces) of the Mekong River Delta. Just after the drought and salinity intrusion occurred, the media offered some different opinions suggesting possible solution which offer effective responses and stable development to coastal regions. The author suggests that in order to have sustainable development for the Mekong Delta in general and for the coastal zones in particular, Vietnam needs to have some basic short-term and long-term solutions, for each region as well as the whole delta, including drought-salinity intrusion and flooding programs, structural and non-structural works, and coverage for both the Mekong Delta and the whole Mekong River Basin
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Understanding the drivers of Southeast Asian biodiversity loss.
Southeast Asia (SE Asia) is a known global hotspot of biodiversity and endemism, yet the region is also one of the most biotically threatened. Ecosystems across the region are threatened by an array of drivers, each of which increases the probability of extinction of species in a variety of ecosystems. These issues are symptomatic of the issues that face the global tropics; however, with around 4 billion people in the wider region and the associated pressures on biodiversity, this region may be under some of the greatest levels of biotic threat. Deforestation rates in SE Asia are some of the highest globally, additionally it has the highest rate of mining in the tropics, around the greatest number of hydropower dams under construction, and a consumption of species for traditional medicines which is a threat to biodiversity globally. In this review, the greatest threats to regional biodiversity in the SE Asian region are discussed. Tree-plantations and deforestation represent one of the most imminent threats, and some countries have already lost over half their original forest cover (i.e., the Philippines, parts of Indonesia), with projections of as much as 98% loss for some regions in the coming decade. Hunting and trade represent a significant threat as demand stems not only for food, but also for medicine, for ornamentation, and as a status symbol. Mining represents a frequently overlooked threat, as the Asian region is one of the greatest exporters of limestone and various minerals globally, and the cost of this to biodiversity is not only through the direct loss of areas for mines, but also through the development of roads that further fragment the landscape, the leakage of heavy metals, and the destruction of limestone karsts, which represent global endemicity hotspots. Reservoir construction, wetland drainage, fires, pollution, invasive species, disease, and finally climate change are also considered. Once each issue has been discussed, the overall prognosis of regional biodiversity and priority actions to protect SE Asian biodiversity in the future is discussed.