Tạp chí Y Dược học Cần Thơ

KNOWLEDGE OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG NURSING AND MIDWIFERY STUDENTS AT CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Vy — 2025-12-25

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is becoming an escalating public health concern in Vietnam, significantly increasing the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including preeclampsia, macrosomia, and long-term metabolic disorders. Despite the continuous evolution of medical curricula, the GDM-related knowledge among nursing and midwifery studentswho are the primary frontline caregivers-often remains inconsistent and may not fully align with professional competency standards. Systematic evaluations of these educational gaps are currently limited in the Vietnamese context. Objectives: To assess the current level of GDM knowledge among nursing and midwifery students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy and to identify the socio-demographic and academic factors influencing their understanding. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 167 third- and fourth-year nursing and midwifery students from April to May 2025. Data were gathered through a structured, validated questionnaire adapted from the Bashir scale, consisting of 12 items addressing four critical domains: risk factors, diagnostic criteria, management protocols, and potential complications. Knowledge levels were categorized as poor (score ≤ 4), average (5-8), or good (912). Results: The findings revealed that while 33.53% of students demonstrated good knowledge, the majority (61.08%) fell into the average category, and 5.39% still exhibited poor knowledge. Significant statistical associations were identified between knowledge levels and several key variables, including age, academic major, and year of study (p<0.05). Specifically, midwifery students and seniors (4th-year) consistently outperformed their counterparts. Notably, students with higher exposure to clinical GDM cases and specialized information sources showed a lower prevalence of poor knowledge. Conclusion: Knowledge of GDM among the surveyed students remains suboptimal, particularly regarding complex management and long-term complications. There is a critical need for targeted educational interventions, such as specialized workshops and enhanced clinical integration, to bridge these gaps. Strengthening the curriculum and providing more hands-on clinical exposure are essential to equip future healthcare professionals with the necessary competencies for high-quality maternal care.

EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF METAL IONS ON THE SURVIVAL, ACTIVITY, AND STABILITY OF BACILLUS SPP.

Ngo Nguyen Quynh Anh — 2025-12-25

Backgrounds: Bacillus renowned for their probiotic benefits, including resilience in the gastrointestinal environment and compatibility with antibiotic therapies with high-density cultivation through medium optimization has employed various statistical experimental designs but which not emphasized increasing spore yield frequently neglecting the functional properties of spores. Objectives: The purpose of the study is to determine the types of metals and metal ion concentrations that affect Bacillus subtilis M70, Bacillus clausii M31 (isolated in a laboratory in Vietnam), with the goal of enhancing its function, stability, and cell density in an optimal culture metal ion. Materials and methods: B. subtilis M70, B. clausii M31 have growth under conditions: 37°C, 200 rpm, for 18-24 hrs. Bacillus were cultured on media with varying ingredients of metal ion. A Design of Experiments (DOE) was designed in JMP Pro software (14th edition) applied. Impacts of 5 metal ions on total survival, viability efficiency, and activity of Bacillus spp. in cultures medium were examined. Results: MgSO4 and MnSO4 concentrations on Bacillus spore formation. Stability and production efficiency of Bacillus spores at CaSO4 and FeSO4 along with controlled agitation and aeration rates, maximal viability and stability were observed. High spore densities of approximately 2.06 log10 CFU/mL and significant sporulation efficiency, antibacterial ring 2.83cm and survival about 75% in pH 3 in 4 hours. Conclusion: Optimization of media constituents and culture parameters led to potential spore efficiency for Bacillus in fermentative systems, reduced nutrient requirements, increased number spores, and strengthened spore activity.

QUALITY OF SLEEP AND RELATED FACTORS AMONG WOMEN AGED 18 – 49 IN PHONG DIEN DISTRICT, CAN THO CITY

Mai Nguyen Thanh Truc — 2025-12-25

Background: Sleep is a vital biological necessity for maintaining health throughout a woman's life stages. The significance of adequate rest remains constant and critical throughout every single stage of a woman's development and maturation, from the earliest moments of infancy and childhood right through the complexity of adulthood and into old age. Objectives: To describe the sleep quality of women aged 18-49 and identify some factors related to the sleep quality among women in this age group in Phong Dien District, Can Tho City. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 405 women aged 18–49 in Phong Dien District, Can Tho City, from December 2024 to February 2025. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in Vietnamese version which was translated and validated by To Minh Ngoc to assess sleep quality among women. Results: The majority of participants demonstrated good sleep quality with 88.89%. In addition, 11.11% of women had poor sleep quality, with an average score of 2.95 ± 2.29. Chronic health conditions were identified as a factor significantly associated with the sleep quality of women aged 18–49 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the study's findings, which indicated that 11.11% of women aged 18–49 suffered from poor sleep quality, and importantly, that this issue was significantly exacerbated in women with chronic health conditions, a clear need for targeted intervention is apparent. Therefore, developing robust health education and counseling programs is necessary to effectively support all women in reducing their risk of sleep disorders. These tailored initiatives must especially focus on and prioritize providing specialized resources and behavioral strategies for women who are managing existing chronic health conditions, as they represent a particularly vulnerable group requiring dedicated support to improve overall sleep health and quality of life.

THE DIFFICULTIES IN PRACTICING ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AT CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY

Ho Thi Thu Thao — 2025-12-25

Background: With the trend of international integration, many universities in Vietnam have incorporated English proficiency into the criteria for evaluating students’ achievement of competency standards, reflecting the institutions’ recognition of the importance of English in education and training. Enhancing English skills enables students in general, and particularly those in the health sciences, to access a wide range of academic resources from various educational organizations, thereby acquiring new knowledge that supports more effective learning and research. Among the four fundamental language skills, speaking is considered the most critical, as it plays a central role in foreign language acquisition. The success of learning a foreign language is often measured by the learner’s ability to communicate effectively in that language. Objectives: To describe the difficulties in practicing English speaking skills among undergraduate students at the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Technology, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study with total population sampling method was conducted on 729 students of the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Technology, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Data were collected by using the questionnaire which was established by Pham Minh Thu. The questionnaire assessed the difficulties in practicing English speaking skills with 4 fields including: linguistics, psychology, learning environment, and teaching methods. Results: The average scores for difficulties related to linguistics, psychology, learning environment, and teaching methods were 3.92±0.54, 3.99±0.54, 3.72±0.67, and 3.01±1.00, respectively. Conclusion: The study indicates that students from the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Technology face numerous difficulties in practicing English-speaking skills, which are related to linguistic factors, psychological aspects, and the learning environment. Therefore, organizing seminars or English clubs and create opportunities for students to engage in interactions with international students to improve their English-speaking skills are truly necessary.

RESEARCH ENGAGEMENT AMONG NURSES AT CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY HOSPITAL

Ngo Thi Dung — 2025-12-25

Background: Nursing research plays a critical role in advancing clinical practice and improving the quality of patient care. Despite its importance, nurses' research engagement remains limited due to a range of barriers. Understanding the research engagement and related factors can help guide strategies to enhance research implementation among nurses. Objectives: To evaluate the research engagement among nurses at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital and to identify related factors. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 119 nurses using an adapted version of the “Motivations and Barriers in Nursing Research” questionnaire. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: The overall level of research engagement was evaluated as high (3.58 ± 0.44). Motivation and opportunity were both evaluated highly (4.00 ± 0.50 and 3.65 ± 0.50, respectively), whereas capability was rated moderately (3.13 ± 0.70). Factors significantly related to research engagement included professional qualification, research training, and research experience. Conclusions: Although nurses reported high levels of motivation and opportunity for engaging in research, limited research capability remains a key barrier. Enhancing educational preparation and institutional support is essential to fostering sustained and meaningful research engagement among nurses.

CURRENT STATUS OF ORTHOPEDIC SERVICES IN THE MEKONG DELTA REGION OF VIETNAM – A MULTICENTER STUDY

PGS.TS Nguyen Thanh Tan — 2025-12-25

Background: Orthopedic and trauma care plays a critical role in maintaining musculoskeletal health. In Viet Nam, the growing burden of injuries and degenerative conditions has increased demand for services, while resource disparities persist, particularly in the Mekong Delta region. However, empirical data on the service capacity of provincial hospitals remain limited. Objectives: To assess the capacity for delivering orthopedic and trauma services at provincial general hospitals in the Mekong Delta region of Viet Nam in 2024. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2024 at 16 provincial general hospitals. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and hospital records, and included information on the organization of orthopedic and rehabilitation services, human resources, equipment, clinical activities, training, and research. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: All surveyed hospitals had an Orthopedics and Traumatology Department; however, only 81.3% had a dedicated Rehabilitation Unit or Department, most of which operated separately from orthopedics. Human resources were limited, with an estimated average of 1.3 orthopedic surgeons per 100,000 population. All hospitals were equipped with basic infrastructure such as operating tables and C-arm systems, but advanced equipment for arthroscopic and spine surgery was available in only a few centers. Professional activities and scientific research were modest, with limited participation in training programs and few international publications. Conclusion: Orthopedic and trauma services in the Mekong Delta region are relatively well established but remain uneven in terms of capacity and technological readiness. Strengthening the workforce, upgrading infrastructure and equipment, and more closely integrating rehabilitation services with orthopedic care are key strategies to improve the quality, efficiency, and equity of orthopedic services in this region.

PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT SKILLS IN CLINICAL SETTINGS AMONG NURSING STUDENTS AT CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY

Nguyen Tram Anh — 2025-12-25

Background: Physical assessment is a systematic evaluation of a patient’s physiological status and represents a fundamental component of the nursing process that underpins accurate clinical judgment and care planning. Adequate physical assessment skills among nursing students are essential for early detection of patient deterioration, effective clinical decision-making, and the delivery of safe, high-quality nursing care. Objectives: To assess the level of physical assessment skill application among nursing students during clinical practice at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and to examine the associated factors with this level of practice. Materials and methods:A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 113 third and fourth-year nursing students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy. A 30-question questionnaire was used to survey the students' application of physical assessment skills in clinical practice. The collected data were analyzed using Jamovi software. Results: A total of 41.6% nursing students demonstrated physical assessment skills practice always or frequently, and 47.8% practiced occasionally or rarely. However, only 13 skills were performed always or frequently, 16 skills were performed occasionally or rarely, and one skill was not performed. There is an association between the year of academic performance and the frequency of performing physical assessment skills during clinical practice (p<0.001). Conclusion: Nursing students predominantly performed physical assessment skills at an occasional or rare level, with limited skills practiced consistently. The findings suggest that improved educational strategies are required to enhance nursing students’ application of physical assessment skills.

EFFICACY OF TOPICAL METRONIDAZOLE GEL IN DEMODEXASSOCIATED ACNE AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN VIETNAM

Hua Thi Ky Anh — 2025-12-25

Background: Demodex-associated acne is a chronic dermatological condition in which treatment often requires adjunctive therapy with metronidazole. Topical metronidazole gel has shown potential efficacy; therefore, further evaluation of its role is necessary to optimize management outcomes. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of topical metronidazole gel in patients with Demodex-associated acne. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study with analytical components was conducted among 34 high school students with Demodexassociated acne in Ben Tre City, Vietnam. All patients received topical metronidazole gel, and treatment outcomes were assessed at 2 and 4 weeks. Results: The mean age of the participants was 16 years, with an equal male-to-female ratio. After 2 weeks of treatment, Demodex density decreased from 1.82 ± 0.39 to 1.71 ± 0.68 (p < 0.05). Clinically, 50.0% of patients achieved a good response at 2 weeks, which increased to 82.4% at 4 weeks. A moderate response was observed in 14.7% at 2 weeks but was absent at 4 weeks. Conclusion: Topical metronidazole gel demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing Demodex density and improving clinical outcomes in acne patients. These findings highlight its role as an effective therapeutic option for Demodex-associated acne.

LEVELS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF COGNITIVE ENGAGEMENT AMONG FOURTH-YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS AT CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY

Nguyen Thi Hong Duy — 2025-12-25

Background: Cognitive engagement is a core determinant of effectiveness in medical training, reflected in students’ use of metacognitive strategies to comprehend complex knowledge and develop clinical skills. Although international research has expanded rapidly since 2019, empirical evidence in Vietnam remains limited, particularly for fourth-year students-a critical transition to fulltime clinical placement under high academic demands. Objectives: To quantify cognitive engagement among fourth-year medical students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy and examine factors associated with it. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 300 fourth-year medical students. A standardized questionnaire was administered, including 25 items measuring cognitive engagement and 15 items assessing potential influencing factors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable regression using SPSS version 26.0. Results: High, moderate, and low levels of cognitive engagement were observed in 50.7%, 30.3%, and 19.0% of students, respectively. Curriculum content and learning motivation showed the strongest association (β = 0.268; R² = 0.626), followed by personal factors (β = 0.191) and teaching methods (β = 0.157). The overall model explained 69.5% of the variance (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Curricular content should be strengthened for clinical applicability; psychoeducational interventions are warranted to improve stress management and self-efficacy; and faculty development should prioritize feasible, context-appropriate active teaching approaches.

CLINICAL AND IMAGING FEATURES OF SURGICALLY TREATED LUMBAR SPONDYLOLISTHESIS

Ha Thoai Ky — 2025-12-25

Background: Lumbar spondylolisthesis is a common cause of low back pain, reduced occupational capacity, impaired quality of life, and frequent recurrence. Without timely treatment, the disease may progress to spinal dysfunction, disability, and increased socioeconomic burden. Objectives: To describe the clinical and imaging characteristics and to evaluate the surgical treatment outcomes of lumbar spondylolisthesis treated with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) using pedicle screws at Can Tho Central General Hospital. Materials and methods: A prospective descriptive study was conducted on 49 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis treated with PLIF from July 2022 to April 2024. Clinical data, imaging findings, and treatment outcomes were collected and patientswere followed up for 6 months. Results: The mean age of patients was 58.4 ± 10.4 years; females accounted for 67.3%. Mean BMI was 22.29 ± 2.79 and mean T-score was –2.42 ± 1.17; 73.5% of patients were diagnosed with osteoporosis. Imaging characteristics: Xray imaging showed that 93.9% of cases were grade I spondylolisthesis, most commonly at L4-L5 (63.2%). MRI findings revealed disc herniation in 85.7%, foraminal stenosis in 38.8%. Clinical characteristics: 95.9% had low back pain and 93.9% had radicular pain. Positive Straight Leg Raise test was observed in 91.8%, sensory disturbances in 95.9%, motor deficits in 20.4%, and muscle atrophy in 8.2%. The mean preoperative VAS scores were 6.49 for back pain and 6.22 for leg pain. Outcomes: At 6 months post-surgery, the mean VAS scores significantly decreased to 1.80 for back pain and 1.20 for leg pain (p < 0.001). PLIF surgery significantly improved clinical symptoms and functional outcomes. Conclusions: Lumbar spondylolisthesis predominantly affects middle-aged women, commonly presents as grade I at the L4-L5 level, and is associated with low back pain, radicular symptoms, and functional impairment. PLIF surgery significantly improves clinical symptoms, functional outcomes, and imaging findings after 6 months.

PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF DEMOGRAPHICS, HISTOPATHOLOGY, AND MISMATCH REPAIR STATUS IN COLORECTAL CANCER: A TIME-TO-EVENT MACHINE LEARNING APPROACH

Hoang Duc Trinh — 2025-12-25

Background: Colorectal cancer prognosis depends on multiple factors including demographics, histopathology, and mismatch repair (MMR) status. Traditional Cox regression models have limitations in handling high-dimensional clinical data. Objectives: This study applied time-to-event machine learning algorithms to investigate the prognostic values of demographics, histopathology, and MMR status in predicting overall survival of colorectal cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 165 colorectal cancer patients from Can Tho Oncology Hospital (2019-2021) were recruited. Input features included age, sex, pTNM stage, histological type, tumor grade, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), perineural invasion (PNI), and MMR protein status. The dataset was divided into training (70%) and testing sets. Five time-to-event algorithms were trained with 1000 bootstraps and hyperparameter tuning, then validated on the testing set. SurvSHAP package was used for feature importance ranking. Results: Gradient Boost Survival outperformed other models with acceptable discrimination (C-index: 0.812, 95% CI: 0.784-0.840) and calibration (integrated Brier score: 0.057, 95% CI: 0.056-0.058). Age, lymphovascular invasion, and MMR status were identified as the three most important predictive features. Feature importance increased during the first 24 months and then stabilized. Conclusion: Time-to-event ensemble machine learning models effectively predict survival prognosis in colorectal cancer. MMR status, combined with demographic and histopathological features, represents an important predictor of overall survival.

A COMBINATION OF HYPOALBUMINEMIA AND IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA AND ITS CONSEQUENCE IN PEDIATRIC PNEUMONIA

Tran Thi Nhu Y — 2025-12-25

Background: In the pediatric population, pneumonia stands as the prevailing cause of mortality. The simultaneous presence of hypoalbuminemia and iron deficiency anemia presents specific difficulties in the treatment of pediatric pneumonia. Objectives: (1) To investigate the concurrent prevalence of hypoalbuminemia and iron deficiency anemia among children aged 2 months to under 5 years at Ca Mau Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital during the period of 20222023. (2) To assess the relationship between the hypoalbuminemia and iron deficiency anemia concurrence and pneumonia in children aged 2 months to under 5 years at Ca Mau Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital during the period of 2022-2023. Materials and methods: During the research period, 177 pediatric patients, ages 2 months to under 5 years, who were diagnosed with pneumonia and treated as inpatients at Ca Mau Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, participated in a crosssectional descriptive study. The determination of pneumonia was conducted in accordance with the WHO diagnostic criteria specifically established for children under the age of 5. Children presented with symptoms such as cough and/or dyspnea and/or fever, which were associated with fast respiration or chest indrawing. Tachypnea was assessed in relation to age as per WHO guidelines. Additionally, auscultation revealed small moist rales, whistling rales, or snoring rales in the lungs. Cardiopulmonary X-ray findings confirmed the diagnosis of pneumonia. Results: The proportion of male patients constituted 56.5%. The mean age was 22.5±15.82 months. The coexistence of hypoalbuminemia and iron deficiency anemia was found in 14.1% of cases. Children who had hypoalbuminemia and iron deficiency anemia were more likely to experience severe pneumonia, with a rate of 36% compared to 7.9% in the control group. Conclusion:The consequence of the simultaneous presence of both hypoalbuminemia and iron deficiency anemia is exacerbating pneumonia severity.

DUPLICATED INFERIOR VENA CAVA WITH INTERRUPTION AND AZYGOS CONTINUATION: A CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Nguyen Truong Duc — 2025-12-25

Background: Congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava (IVC) are rare vascular variants that can have significant clinical implications, especially during surgical or interventional procedures. Case presentation: We present a rare case of a 39-year-old female who was found incidentally to have a duplicated IVC associated with interruption of the retrohepatic segment and azygos continuation. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with contrast revealed bilateral IVCs running alongside the abdominal aorta, connected by a transverse venous bridge below the aortic bifurcation. Conclusion: This anomaly results from atypical persistence and regression of embryonic venous precursors, including the subcardinal and supracardinal veins. Awareness of such variants is crucial, as they may complicate retroperitoneal surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass, or IVC filter placement and can predispose to venous stasis and thrombosis. MDCT with multiplanar reconstruction remains the modality of choice for accurate diagnosis and anatomical delineation.

PREVALENCE OF CATHETER-RELATED PHLEBITIS AND RELATED FACTORS IN CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY HOSPITAL

Ngo Thi Dung — 2025-12-25

Background: Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are widely used for medication, fluid, and transfusion administration; however, they are frequently associated with complications, particularly phlebitis. Phlebitis can cause pain, local inflammation, catheter failure, and may lead to treatment interruption and prolonged hospitalization, highlighting the need for reliable and systematic monitoring. The Visual Infusion Phlebitis (VIP) score offers a validated and standardized method for early detection and assessment of catheter-related phlebitis. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of phlebitis and related factors among patients at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 307 inpatients at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. Eligible participants were aged 18 years or older and had a PIVC in place for at least 24 hours. Data collection included demographic and clinical information obtained through structured survey forms, direct observation of catheter sites, and review of medical records. Phlebitis was assessed according to the VIP scale. Results: Among 307 patients, the majority were over 50 years of age (67.8%), female (54.1%). Most catheters were inserted in the upper extremities (95.4%) for transfusion purposes (96.7%). The overall prevalence of phlebitis was 27.4%. Among the 84 patients with phlebitis, 95.2% were classified as grade 1, while grades 2 and 5 accounted for 3.6% and 1.2%, respectively. No cases of grade 3 or 4 were observed. Prolonged catheter dwell time (≥3 days), use of an open infusion system, and non-specialized dressings were significantly associated with an increased risk of phlebitis. Conclusion: Phlebitis remains a common complication of PIVCs, although most cases were mild (grade 1). Enhanced monitoring using the Visual Infusion Phlebitis (VIP) scale, avoiding prolonged catheter dwell time, employing a closed infusion system, and adhering to standardized dressing changes are essential to minimize complications.