Knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19 among healthcare workers at District 2 Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude toward coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) among healthcare workers at District 2 Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between January 2020 and February 2020 at District 2 Hospital. A systematic random sampling strategy was carried out and the data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire of the knowledge and attitude of healthcare workers regarding COVID-19. Descriptive analysis was reported to describe the demographic, mean knowledge and attitude score of healthcare workers. Inferential statistics including t-test, ANOVA and Spearman's correlation were used to evaluate the relationship between study variables. Results: A total of 327 eligible healthcare workers had a mean score of knowledge and attitude of 8.17±1.3 (range 4-10) and 1.86±0.43 (range 1-5), respectively. They showed good knowledge and a positive attitude. However, approximately two thirds of the participants knew the mode of transmission, the isolation period and treatment (67.0%, 65.8%, and 58.4%, respectively), and 82.3% and 79.8%, respectively, held positive attitude regarding the risk of personal and family members getting illness. There was a negative correlation between knowledge scores and attitude scores (r=-0.21, P<0.001). Additionally, healthcare workerspredominately used social media to inform themselves about COVID-19 (91.1%). Conclusions: The majority of healthcare workers had good knowledge and positive attitude toward COVID-19. However, the level of some knowledge and attitude lower than that expected for their position level towards the virus. Additional education interventions and campaigns are required for healthcare workers.

Detection of mutation in 21 hydroxylase deficiency in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia by PCR

10 patients with congenital adrenal hydroxylase and 1 healthy person without disease participated to a study on the mutation of gene CYP210H (mutation in 21 hydroxylase deficiency) by PCR. Hair’s DNA released from nuclear by chelex 10%. The chain of DNA were identified well by PCR. The mutation in 21 hydroxylase deficiency caused inactivation of gene CYP 21 can be detected by PCR.

Initial survey of hematologic values of the voluntary blood donors in Ho Chi Minh City

The study is performed on 1,333 voluntary donors, consisting of 690 males and 643 females aging from 18 to 60 years old. Among them, there are 14.33% persons whose blood does not reach the quality requirement. Thus, it is necessary to check the blood count of the voluntary donors before withdrawing their blood. This avoids undesired effects on them, and also ensure the quality of the blood units.