National Survey of Risk Factors for Non-communicable Disease in Vietnam - Prevalence Estimates and an Assessment of Their Validity

Bui, Tan

National Survey of Risk Factors for Non-communicable Disease in Vietnam - Prevalence Estimates and an Assessment of Their Validity

Monday, 18 August 2014

Exhibit hall (Dena'ina Center)

Tan Bui, MPH , Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho, Vietnam

Leigh Blizzard, PhD , Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

Khue Luong, MD , Ministry of Health of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Ha Noi, Vietnam

Ngoc Truong, MD , Ministry of Health of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Ha Noi, Vietnam

Bao Tran, MD , Ministry of Health of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Ha Noi, Vietnam

Petr Otahal, BS , Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

Seana Gall, PhD , Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

Mark Nelson, PhD , Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

Thuy Au, PhD , Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

Son Ha, MD , Ministry of Health of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Ha Noi, Vietnam

Hai Phung, PhD , Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

Mai Tran, PhD , Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

Velandai Srikanth, PhD , Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Australia

INTRODUCTION:

A national survey of risk factors for non-communicable disease (NCD) has been completed in Vietnam. This report estimates the prevalence of risk factors at a provincial level and assesses whether the summary data allows reliable inferences to be drawn regarding regional differences in prevalence of, and associations between, risk factors.

METHODS:

The survey involved 14,706 participants (53.5% females, participation proportion 64.1%) aged 25–64 years selected by multi-stage stratified cluster sampling from eight provinces each representing one of the eight geographical regions of Vietnam. Measurements were made using the standardised procedures of the WHO STEPS methodology. Data were analysed using complex survey methods to take account of the sampling design.

RESULTS:

Differences by sex in mean years of schooling (males 8.54±0.22, females 7.36±0.20), proportions of current smokers (males 57.69%, females 1.74%), binge drinkers (males 25.11%, females 0.63%), and regional differences (e.g. higher fruit and vegetable intake in northern regions), reflected the geographical, socio-demographic and cultural characteristics of the country. Provinces with higher proportion of urban population had greater mean levels of schooling (r=0.38), household income (r=0.70) and BMI (r=0.81), and lesser mean physical activity (r=-0.88). The associations between the summary estimates were generally plausible (e.g. physical activity and BMI r=-0.77, BMI and blood glucose r=0.50) but with anomalous findings due to the characterisation of tobacco smoking and hypertension by STEPS protocols (e.g. among men, current smoking was negatively associated with hypertension).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study provides an extensive description of the sex-specific and regional distribution of NCD risk factors in Vietnam and a fascinating account of some health-related consequences of industrialisation in its early stages. The findings lend support to the case that the WHO STEPS protocols have utility for the intended purpose of providing aggregate data for valid between-population comparisons, but with two important caveats identified.