Fish-borne trematode metacercariae detected in fish commonly used for raw consumption in Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam.

Raw or undercooked fish dishes are the major sources of human infection of fishborne trematodes (FBT) and the situation of metacercarial infection in fish greatly affect the prevalence in humans, especially those fish that are commonly used for raw consumption. To investigate the situation of infection with metacercaria of FBT in fish often used to prepare raw fish dishes by local people to assess the risk of infection to humans in Ninh Binh province, Vietnam. 345 fish belonging to five species of freshwater and one species of brackish water fish were collected from fishermen or small-scale fish dealers in Kim Son and Yen Khanh districts, Ninh Binh province between May 2017 and May 2018. Metacercaria of FBT was discovered by pepsin and hydrochloric acid digestion techniques and identified by the morphological and molecular analysis. Among examined fish, 44.06% infected with FBT metacercaria and the highest prevalence was in Cyprinus carpio (86.54%), Ctenopharyngodon idellus (78.43%) and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (66.67%) while Konosirus punctatus - the brackish water fish - were free from infection. Three species of FBT were found; namely Haplorchis pumilio (accounting for 99.84% of collected metacercariae), Haplorchis taichui and Clonorchis sinensis. The average density was 1.06 metacercariae per gram of freshwater fish and the highest number was of C. idellus (6.38 cysts/gram) followed by Cirrhinus molitorella and C. carpio. Results of the study show the high prevalence of infection of FBT metacercariae among freshwater fish often used to prepare raw fish dishes in Ninh Binh province. These findings suggest the need for greater awareness of the risk from raw fish dishes among public health authorities and people.

Fish-borne trematode metacercariae detected in fish commonly used for raw consumption in Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam

@#Raw or undercooked fish dishes are the major sources of human infection of fishborne trematodes (FBT) and the situation of metacercarial infection in fish greatly affect the prevalence in humans, especially those fish that are commonly used for raw consumption. To investigate the situation of infection with metacercaria of FBT in fish often used to prepare raw fish dishes by local people to assess the risk of infection to humans in Ninh Binh province, Vietnam. 345 fish belonging to five species of freshwater and one species of brackish water fish were collected from fishermen or small-scale fish dealers in Kim Son and Yen Khanh districts, Ninh Binh province between May 2017 and May 2018. Metacercaria of FBT was discovered by pepsin and hydrochloric acid digestion techniques and identified by the morphological and molecular analysis. Among examined fish, 44.06% infected with FBT metacercaria and the highest prevalence was in Cyprinus carpio (86.54%), Ctenopharyngodon idellus (78.43%) and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (66.67%) while Konosirus punctatus – the brackish water fish – were free from infection. Three species of FBT were found; namely Haplorchis pumilio (accounting for 99.84% of collected metacercariae), Haplorchis taichui and Clonorchis sinensis. The average density was 1.06 metacercariae per gram of freshwater fish and the highest number was of C. idellus (6.38 cysts/gram) followed by Cirrhinus molitorella and C. carpio. Results of the study show the high prevalence of infection of FBT metacercariae among freshwater fish often used to prepare raw fish dishes in Ninh Binh province. These findings suggest the need for greater awareness of the risk from raw fish dishes among public health authorities and people.

Reproduction, risk and reality: family planning and reproductive health in northern Vietnam.

In collaboration with the National Committee for Population and Family Planning, a study was conducted in 1994 in two Vietnamese communes to provide community level information on women's reproductive health and behaviors. A survey of 504 rural and 523 urban women collected five-year histories of reproduction, contraception, abortion and symptoms of Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI). This analysis focuses on the relationships between women's individual characteristics, use of family planning and abortion, and reported RTI symptoms. The findings reveal that IUDs do not raise women's likelihood of experiencing RTI symptoms in either commune. A recent abortion, however, strongly increases women's likelihood of having RTI symptoms in the rural commune, while low-socioeconomic status is associated with RTI symptoms in the urban commune.

PIP: The reproductive health of Vietnamese women was assessed in a 1994 survey of 504 rural and 523 urban women from two communes (Hai Hung and Ha Bac Provinces). The survey, conducted in collaboration with the National Committee for Population and Family Planning, collected 5-year histories of reproduction, contraceptive use, abortion, and reproductive tract infection (RTI) symptoms. Of particular interest were possible RTI risks associated with IUD use and induced abortion, both of which are widespread in Viet Nam. At the time of the survey, 24.9% of urban and 16.5% of rural respondents were using the IUD and 51.2% of urban and 35.1% of rural women had undergone at least one pregnancy termination. 22.8% of urban and 31.5% of rural women reported menstrual problems. 13.2% of urban and 22.8% of rural respondents reported three or more symptoms suggestive of RTI. The most common RTI symptom was heavy white discharge, reported by 38.2% of urban and 46.4% of rural women. Multivariate analysis identified abortion in the last 6 months (rural women) and few household assets as the only significant predictors of RTI symptoms. IUD use did not increase RTI symptoms in either study group. Behaviors that place women at risk of sexually transmitted RTIs were not investigated. These findings indicate a need to improve the quality of abortion care in Viet Nam.

Contraception and abortion in two Vietnamese communes.

OBJECTIVES: The authors examined factors predicting abortion use in two communes in northern Vietnam. METHODS: A survey of 504 rural and 523 urban women of childbearing age was conducted. RESULTS: For the 13.6% of urban and 19% of rural commune women having had an abortion in the previous year, logistic regression analyses demonstrated that use of an intrauterine device reduced the likelihood of subsequent abortion in both communes. Traditional method use in the rural commune, however, increased women's likelihood of a subsequent abortion. CONCLUSIONS: Contraceptive use in these 2 communes affected abortion more than sociodemographic factors. Traditional method use by rural women is a risk for abortion.

The meaning of RTI in Vietnam--a qualitative study of illness representation: collaboration or self-regulation?

In collaboration with the National Committee for Population and Family Planning, a study was conducted in a rural and urban commune of northern Vietnam to provide community-level information about women's reproductive health and behaviors. Ethnographic and structured interviews were conducted with 32 women. A psychosocial model of health behavior, the Dual Process Model, was applied to provide a theoretical framework for understanding women's interpretations of, and strategies for, coping with symptoms of reproductive tract infections (RTIs). Women were found to interpret and manage RTI symptoms collaboratively with other women. Therefore, women's approach to care seeking was influenced heavily by their peer network and not driven by their method of family planning.