Analysis of MOLISA Social Protection Centres for People with Severe Mental Disorders: 2010
In 2009, upon the request of MOH and MOLISA, WHO Viet Nam sent an international consultant, associate professor Harry Minas, to Viet Nam to review mental health care services and the system of MOLISA centres for persons with severe mental disorders. A mission report written by Ass. Prof. Minas has been circulated to WHO, MOH, and MOLISA. This report highlighted “a need for a comprehensive and quick initial analysis of the current situation in the MOLISA social protection centres for people with severe mental disorders , and more broadly of the mental health treatment, care and support system in Vietnam”. This study is assumed to have been conducted by MOLISA, with technical support from WHO Viet Nam.
As a result of discussions between MOLISA and WHO Vietnam, Dr. Tran Tuan from RTCCD has been asked to develop initial ideas regarding this mission in order for WHO to start developing a technical contract for hiring local experts to support MOLISA in launching the study. A concept paper has been developed meeting that purpose. It is planned for the study to be launched in April 2010.
Maternal mental health and anaemia as determinants of infant health and development in resource-constrained settings: 2008 - 2012
This research has been conducted through collaboration between RTCCD and the University of Melbourne. The study is a prospective investigation of maternal and infant health carried out in 50 communes randomly selected in Ha Nam province. The research has two objectives: (1) to establish the separate and combined contributions of maternal mental health problems, maternal anaemia, and iodine deficiency to sub-optimal infant health and development in Vietnam; (2) To establish the prevalence of maternal anaemia and iodine deficiency and to examine the association between anaemia, iodine deficiency and maternal mental health during and following pregnancy in Vietnamese mothers. All pregnant women of less than 20 weeks gestation who are living in the selected communes are eligible to participate and are recruited via the commune health centre. Assessments of women (and infants) will occur at project enrolment and 36 weeks gestation, and at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Data will be collected via blood and urine tests, structured individual interviews which will incorporate psychometric instruments, maternal and infant anthropometry, birth records, and an assessment of infant growth and development. The findings of this study will be used to create intervention models in Vietnam and other developing countries by 2012.
The impact of maternal mental health problems on infant health and development in Viet Nam: 2008
This activity is one component of a longitudinal study on maternal mental health conducted by the partnership of RTCCD and University of Melbourne. From 21st January to 22nd February the data collection was launched and included 214 mothers from six selected communes of Ha Nam province. The study aim is to investigate whether the health and development of 12 to 15 month old infants of mothers who had mental health problems in advanced pregnancy or early postpartum differs from those whose mothers did not have mental health problems. The validated and commonly used Denver II checklist was used to assess the physical, cognitive and mental development of the child.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Community-Based Mental Health Care Model in Ha Tay and Ha Nam: 2007
This policy-oriented study was launched in early April following approval from the Vietnam Medical Association and agreement from the World Health Organization (WHO) in an effort to measure the design, implementation and benefits gained from the Community-Based Mental Health Care Model developed by the Vietnam Ministry of Health and carried out through the National Mental Health Program. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods for the data collection in Ha Tay and Ha Nam provinces, this study provided 6 main and 15 specific conclusions that clearly described what the community-based mental health care model designed by the Ministry of Health is, the total inputs used for implementing the model, why the model was developed, and what effects have been gained in terms of prevention and management of community mental health. Based on this evidence, the research team provided policy oriented recommendations, including that a redesign of the model is a must if the model is to be fully effective. Download report summary in English and Vietnamese.
Assessing and Modelling Community Mental Health and Rehabilitation in Da Nang and Khanh Hoa Provinces: 2007
The mission of the Project is to increase understanding of the scope, prevalence and burden of mental illness in Vietnam, in order to identify individual and community needs; to fill the gaps of early interventions and services in mental health; to provide policy-based evidence for improving mental health services in Vietnam; and to integrate Vietnam’s mental health research and practices into international research and dialogue. With support from the Atlantic Philanthropies (AP), the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF), the project implementer, and RTCCD, the technical consultant conducted a screening survey followed by a diagnostic survey to collect broad information and then determine the most effective measures that will provide a holistic approach to mental health and rehabilitation for individuals, families and communities, and to facilitate individual and community empowerment. The screening survey provided a good data set to help in understanding the burden of mental health in the community, including community responses to patients with mental health problems and the importance of culture and environment specific to Vietnam. Another significant achievement was the development of an accurate, cheap and easy-to-understand tool to measure the burden of mental health problems in the Vietnamese context. Download report summary in English and Vietnamese.
Impacts of Sangxane storm on Mental Health and Physical Life of People in Da Nang: 2007
Sangxane, one of the strongest storms to hit Da Nang in the last decade, caused severe damage to the area and had a huge impact on the local people. In order to investigate the impact of such a natural disaster on the mental health of the affected population, RTCCD, Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF), the University of North Carolina and the Da Nang Department of Health collaborated to conduct a study in January 2007. The research findings suggest that the burden of depression on the Da Nang population was substantially greater after the typhoon than it was before, and that the government, policy makers and donors should work together to improve strategies for better and timely support for the victims of natural disasters.
Epidemiology of Common Perinatal Mood Disorders and Validation of Psychometric Instruments in Vietnam: 2006
With the establishment of the collaboration between the RTCCD and the Key Centre for Women’s Health in Society (KCWH) (University of Melbourne), a joint project was set up in late 2005. In 2006, both training and a field study were conducted. This first component of the project aims to validate four tools: the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, The General Health Questionnaire 12, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Intimate Bonds Measure. The validation will provide Vietnam with an easy to use mental health measurement tool that is relevant to Vietnam’s context and can be used at the community level.
Validity of SDQ25: 2006
In Vietnam there is a need for a cheap, simple screening tool for mental illness in children. To respond to such need, RTCCD conducted a validity study for SDQ25. The aim of this matched case-control study is to determine the screening ability, cut-off point, sensitivity and specificity of the Vietnamese version of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) RTCCD 2004; to compare its sensitivity and specificity with the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) commonly used by the National Hospital of Paediatrics in Hanoi (NHP); and to give recommendations on the use of SDQ based on the results obtained. The study was registered as a ministry-level research study. Field data collection was completed with participation of 107 matched pairs. The study results were presented to the Ministry of Health and it was suggested that the validated SDQ25 Vietnamese version should be used nation-wide to measure mental health burden among children aged 4-16 in Vietnam. To obtain a copy of the SDQ25, please contact us. All are welcomed to use or reference. Download report summary in English and Vietnamese.
Validity of SRQ20: 2004
SRQ20, the WHO recommended psychometric measurement tool, includes 20 self-rated questions to measure the psychological status of the respondents. This validity study was conducted to address the specificity and sensitivity of the tool in the rural area of Northern Vietnam. A “double blind” method was applied using60 rural women of Hung Yen province, who were randomly selected from the sample population included in the Young Lives study. The study provided an easy to use mental health measurement tool that is relevant to Vietnam’s context and can be used at the community level. It is currently being used as screening tool in a series of mental health research projects being conducted by RTCCD.
Prevalence of mental disorders among children of eight years old and mothers with infants in five provinces of Vietnam: 2001-2005
The longitudinal study on childhood poverty included a measurement of the burden of mental disorders in children eight years of age and mothers with infants. Using the WHO recommended psychometric measurement tool SRQ20, the study found that one in five mothers with a child under 12 months is diagnosed with a mental disorder, and that 20% of children in the second and third grade of primary school have mental disorders. These findings have led to the recognition of an ignored public health problem in Vietnam and have become strong evidence for a variety of actions the RTCCD has been involved in surroundingmental health.