Background Caesarean section and associated factors require detailed investigation globally. This study aims to determine the rate and associated factors of caesarean deliveries in urban areas of Vietnam. Methods A cross-sectional study using questionnaire answered by women who had infants aged under 30 months was conducted from March to May 2021. Data were collected in 18 commune health centres in two cities during the day of routine immunization. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess factors associated with caesarean section. Results The overall caesarean section rate was 49.6%. The caesarean section rate in private hospitals (57.8%) were significantly higher than in public hospitals (49.1%). Caesarean section rate in first-time mothers (47.1%) were as high as this rate among mothers who had given birth before (50.6%). Factors associated with higher rate of caesarean section include increasing in women’s age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, and infant’s birth weight; first-time mothers; mothers living in urban areas; and mothers giving birth in private hospitals. Conclusions This study revealed a high rate of caesarean deliveries in urban areas of Vietnam. Comprehensive investigations of both medical and non-medical reasons for caesarean deliveries in Vietnam are urgent needs to shape the prioritized interventions.

Background Early essential newborn care has been implemented in countries regardless high or low neonatal mortality. This study aims to investigate the current practice of skin-to-skin contact (SSC) and its effect on exclusive breastfeeding during the hospital stay. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of 1812 Vietnamese mothers in multicenter. A questionnaire answered by the mothers was used to assess the duration of both SSC and breastfeeding practices. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify a dose–response relationship between early SSC and prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in hospital. Results There were 88.7% of mothers experiencing SSC with their infants right after birth and the highest prevalence of SSC was found in district hospitals. Among those experiencing SSC, 18.8% of the infants received more than 90 min of SSC and completed the first breastfeeding during SSC time. Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding during maternity hospital stay was 46.7%. We found a significant dose–response relation between the duration of SSC and exclusive breastfeeding in hospital. Compared with infants without SSC, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was higher in infants who experienced SSC for 15–90 min (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 95% confidence interval [95%-CI]: 2.62 [1.61–4.27]) and more than 90 min (aOR [95%-CI]: 5.98 [3.48–10.28]). Completed first breastfeeding during SSC time (aOR [95%-CI]: 4.24 [3.28–5.47]) and being born in district hospitals (aOR [95%-CI]: 2.35 [1.79–3.09]) were associated with increased prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stay. On the other hand, mother education level as high school/intermediate (aOR [95%-CI]: 0.58 [0.42–0.82]) and place of residence classified as rural decreased odds of exclusive breastfeeding in hospital (aOR [95%-CI]: 0.78 [0.61–0.99]). Conclusion Our results demonstrate a strong dose–response relationship between duration of SSC and exclusive breastfeeding in hospital. Interventions that support exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stay, especially achieving prolonged uninterrupted SSC, could improve the duration of breastfeeding.

INTRODUCTION: Breastfeeding is associated with lower risk of child morbidity and mortality and foster overall child development. However, suboptimal breastfeeding practices have been reported in many countries. This study aims to describe patterns of breastfeeding from birth to 24 months in Vietnam and examine factors associated with the maintenance of breastfeeding at 12 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 573 mothers whose infants aged from 12 to 24 months in a multi-centre cross-sectional study were recruited. RESULTS: The prevalence of initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour post-partum was 52.9%, between 1 to 24 hours was 21.9%, after the 24 hours was 25.2% and none not initiated by the 7th day after birth. The prevalence of delayed initiation of breastfeeding was significantly higher in caesarean section than in vaginal births (p=0.0001). Prevalence of infants ever breastfed was 100%; exclusively breastfed at 6 months was 19.7%, continued breastfeeding at 12 months was 92.5%, and continued breastfeeding at 20-24 months was 43.5%. There were 16.4% of mothers had breastfeeding problems. Correctly describing the recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding and not using a bottle to give expressed milk to the infants were factors associated with the higher prevalence of breastfeeding maintenance for 12 months. CONCLUSION: Early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding prevalence at 6 months in our study earn rating of “good” and “fair” respectively according to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation. Improving mothers’ knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding recommendations and educating about breast milk expression may improve the prevalence of breastfeeding maintenance at 12 months.

Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has become a global concern, affecting students' mental health. This study aims to explore the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleep disturbance among Vietnamese students during the fourth COVID-19 wave. An online survey was performed with a questionnaire based on the Impact of Event Scale-Revised scale (IES-R). A total of 302 students were included in the study, in which there are 11.3% had PTSD. The prevalence of PTSD in female was higher than in male (p=0.006) and students who were fear of vaccine’s side effects had five times higher likelihood of PTSD compared to those who were not (p=0.009). In addition, changes in bedtime and wake-up times were associated with increased odds of PTSD in students (Adjusted Odds Ratios: 3.42, 95% Confidence Intervals: 1.90 to 6.16). The results emphasize the high prevalence of PTSD among students, which could have short- and long-term mental health impacts.