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As environmental degradation escalates, the critical need to understand green purchasing intentions and behaviours among Vietnamese Generation Z becomes increasingly urgent. Although the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has been extensively applied to study pro-environmental behaviours, there remain discrepancies in how green attitudes, green subjective norms, and green perceived behavioural control influence green purchasing intentions and green purchasing behaviours. This study aims to clarify these relationships within the unique socio-economic and cultural context of Vietnamese Generation Z, a demographic influenced by collectivistic cultural values, generational characteristics, and dynamic economic conditions. These factors may reshape the conventional dynamics of TPB. Utilising quantitative methodologies, this research analysed responses from 237 Vietnamese Generation Z consumers through structural equation modelling to assess the impacts of green attitude, green subjective norms, and green perceived behavioural control on green purchasing intentions and green purchasing behaviours, particularly focusing on the mediating role of green purchasing intentions. The findings demonstrate that green attitude, green subjective norms, and green perceived behavioural control significantly affect both green purchasing intentions and green purchasing behaviours, thereby confirming the mediating influence of green purchasing intentions. This research reaffirms TPB’s relevance in Vietnam’s distinct cultural and economic environment while contributing to the broader TPB literature by exploring the mediating effects among key variables. These results also underscore the need for policymakers and businesses to create community-oriented environmental programs and tailor marketing strategies to enhance pro-environmental purchasing among young consumers.

As a generation of ‘digital natives,’ secondary students who were born from 2002 to 2010 have various approaches to acquiring digital knowledge. Digital literacy and resilience are crucial for them to navigate the digital world as much as the real world; however, these remain under-researched subjects, especially in developing countries. In Vietnam, the education system has put considerable effort into teaching students these skills to promote quality education as part of the United Nations-defined Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4). This issue has proven especially salient amid the COVID−19 pandemic lockdowns, which had obliged most schools to switch to online forms of teaching. This study, which utilizes a dataset of 1061 Vietnamese students taken from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s “Digital Kids Asia Pacific (DKAP)” project, employs Bayesian statistics to explore the relationship between the students’ background and their digital abilities. Results show that economic status and parents’ level of education are positively correlated with digital literacy. Students from urban schools have only a slightly higher level of digital literacy than their rural counterparts, suggesting that school location may not be a defining explanatory element in the variation of digital literacy and resilience among Vietnamese students. Students’ digital literacy and, especially resilience, also have associations with their gender. Moreover, as students are digitally literate, they are more likely to be digitally resilient. Following SDG4, i.e., Quality Education, it is advisable for schools, and especially parents, to seriously invest in creating a safe, educational environment to enhance digital literacy among students.

Bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) are biopolymers of carbohydrates, often released from cells into the extracellular environment. Due to their distinctive physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity, EPS finds applications in various industrial sectors. However, the need for alternative EPS has grown over the past few decades as lactic acid bacteria’s (LAB) low-yield EPS is unable to meet the demand. In this case, rhizosphere bacteria with the diverse communities in soil leading to variations in composition and structure, are recognized as a potential source of EPS applicable in various industries. In addition, media components and cultivation conditions have an impact on EPS production, which ultimately affects the quantity, structure, and biological functions of the EPS. Therefore, scientists are currently working on manipulating bacterial EPS by developing cultures and applying abiotic and biotic stresses, so that better production of exopolysaccharides can be attained. This review highlights the composition, biosynthesis, and effects of environmental factors on EPS production along with the potential applications in different fields of industry. Ultimately, an overview of potential future paths and tactics for improving EPS implementation and commercialization is pointed out.

Ongoing tetanus cases and sporadic outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases associated with routine vaccination programmes remain problems in many low and middle-income countries, including Vietnam. With no human-to-human transmission or natural immunity, tetanus antibody levels indicate both individual risk of tetanus and gaps in vaccination programmes. To investigate gaps in immunity to tetanus in Vietnam, a country with a historically high level of tetanus vaccination coverage, tetanus antibodies were measure by ELISA from samples selected from a long-term serum bank, established for the purposes of general-population seroepidemiological investigations in southern Vietnam. Samples were selected from 10 provinces, focussing on age-groups targeted by national vaccination programmes for infants and pregnant women (Expanded Programme on Immunization, EPI, and Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus, MNT). Antibodies were measured from a total of 3864 samples. Highest tetanus antibody concentrations occurred in children under 4 years old, over 90 % of whom had protective levels. Approximately 70 % of children aged 7–12 years had protective antibody concentrations although there was variation among provinces. For infants and children, there were no significant differences in tetanus protection between males and females, but for adults aged 20–35 years, in five of the ten provinces surveyed, protection against tetanus was higher in females (p < 0.05) who are eligible for booster doses under the MNT programme. In seven of ten provinces, antibody concentrations were inversely related to age (p < 0.01) and protection of older individuals was generally low. Widespread immunity to tetanus toxoid is seen in infants and young children consistent with the high coverage rates reported for diptheria tetanus toxoid and pertussis (DTP) in Vietnam. However, the lower antibody concentrations seen in older children and men suggest reduced immunity to tetanus in populations not targeted by EPI and MNT programmes.

The Lung Cam expanded stratigraphic succession in Vietnam is correlated herein to the Meishan D section in China, the GSSP for the Permian-Triassic boundary. The first appearance datum of the conodont Hindeodus parvus at Meishan defines the Permian-Triassic boundary, and using published graphic correlation, the Permian-Triassic boundary level has been projected into the Lung Cam section. Using time-series analysis of magnetic susceptibility (χ) data, it is determined that H. parvus arrived at Lung Cam ∼18 kyr before the Permian-Triassic boundary. Data indicate that the Lung Cam section is expanded by ∼90% relative to the GSSP section at Meishan. Given the expanded Lung Cam section, it is possible to resolve the timing of significant events during the Permian-Triassic transition with high precision. These events include major stepped extinctions, beginning at ∼135 kyr and ending at ∼110 kyr below the Permian-Triassic boundary, with a duration of ∼25 kyr, followed by deposition of Lung Cam ash Bed +13, which is equivalent to Siberian Traps volcanism is graphically correlated to a precession Time-series model, placing onset of this major volcanic event at ∼242 kyr before the PTB. The Meishan Beds 25 and 26, at ∼100 kyr before the Permian-Triassic boundary. In addition, the elemental geochemical, carbon and oxygen isotope stratigraphy, and magnetostratigraphy susceptibility datasets from Lung Cam allow good correlation to other Permian-Triassic boundary succession. These datasets are helpful when the conodont biostratigraphy is poorly known in sections with problems such as lithofacies variability, or is undefined, owing possibly to lithofacies exclusions, anoxia or for other reasons. The Lung Pu Permian-Triassic boundary section, ∼45 km from Lung Cam, is used to test these problems.

In this paper, Spherical Cap Harmonic Analysis (SCHA) method was applied to model the geomagnetic field over Vietnam and adjacent area between 15°S and 25°N latitude and 90°E and 130°E in longitude by using magnetic data recorded on CHAMP and Swarm satellites. The characteristic parameters of the method were set at the maximum index K int  = 8 for internal fields, the spherical cap half-angle θ 0  = 20°. The regional geomagnetic field over Vietnam and adjacent areas are modelled for the two epochs (2007.0 and 2015.0). Comparison between the SCHA regional geomagnetic field intensity and its time variation with those from IGRF was carried out. The geomagnetic field intensity ( E F SCHA ) from SCHA model varies between −90 and 98 nT for epoch 2007.0 and between −139 and 143 nT for epoch 2015.0; however, the trends of their time variations are the same over Vietnam. The RMS between the magnetic components from SCHA model and ground observations are in the same order. The amplitude of time variation of total field intensity from SCHA model is about tens nT greater than from IGRF over Vietnam. Highlights The SCHA has been used for modeling the magnetic field in Vietnam and adjacent area at the epochs 2007.0 and 2015.0 from CHAMP and Swarm data. The regional geomagnetic field intensity E F SCHA varies between −90 and 98 nT for epoch 2007.0 and between −139 and 143 nT for epoch 2015.0, which consists of a crustal field and a party of the core field. The time variation of the regional total magnetic field intensity in the period 2007–2015 from the SCHA method has the amplitude larger than the one from IGRF of about 10 nT in the territory of Vietnam.

Direct acting antiviral treatment to cure hepatitis C virus (HCV) is becoming more accessible yet the experiences of those accessing care and treatment and the contexts under which care seeking takes place are largely unknown in low- and middle-income countries. These experiences are important for insight into the challenges people encounter and the support/structures they utilize. The study objective was to explore the experiences of care seeking and treatment for participants enrolled in a clinical trial in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. We used in-depth interviews, home visits, mobile interviews, at both the clinic and in the home as we explored how participants experienced health and illness within their social worlds over time. We enrolled 20 participants, of whom 20 completed the first interview, 16 the second, and 18 completed the last interview. Findings explore four themes: (1) navigating uncertainty, (2) proactivity in the face of challenges, (3) living in fear with faith, and (4) dynamic support systems. Understanding how participants envision and act upon their lived experiences can help to develop public health programmes that effectively address barriers and promote access to care and treatment for people with HCV in Vietnam.

BackgroundAcute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in young children in low/middle-income countries. Using routine hospital data, we aimed to examine the spatial distribution, temporal trends and climatic risk factors of paediatric ARIs in Vietnam.MethodsData from hospitalised paediatric (<16 years) patients with ARIs residing in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) between 2005 and 2010 were retrieved from the two main Children’s Hospitals and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in HCMC. Spatial mapping and time series analysis were performed after disaggregating data into upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs).ResultsOver the study period, there were 155 999 paediatric patients admitted with ARIs (33% of all hospital admissions). There were 68 120 URIs (14%) and 87 879 LRIs (19%). The most common diagnoses were acute pharyngitis (28% of all ARI), pneumonia (21%), bronchitis (18%) and bronchiolitis (16%). A significant increasing trend over time was found for both URIs (mean weekly incidence per 1000 population, I=3.12), incidence rate ratio for 1-week increase in time (RR 1.0, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.17) for URI and (I=4.02, RR 1.08 (95% CI 1.006 to 1.16)) for LRI. The weekly URI incidence peaked in May–June and was significantly associated with lags in weekly URI incidence and the average humidity, rainfall and water level. The weekly LRI incidence exhibited significant seasonality (P<0.0001), with an annual peak in September–October and was significantly associated with lags in weekly LRI incidence and lags in weekly average temperature, rainfall and water level.ConclusionsARIs are a leading cause of childhood hospitalisation in HCMC, Vietnam. The incidence of ARIs was higher in the wet season and in specific HCMC districts. These results may guide health authorities in where and when to effectively allocate resources for the prevention and control of ARIs.

We report a superspreading event of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection initiated at a bar in Vietnam with evidence of symptomatic and asymptomatic transmission, based on ministry of health reports, patient interviews, and whole-genome sequence analysis. Crowds in enclosed indoor settings with poor ventilation may be considered at high risk for transmission.

In the field of healthcare, quality and efficiency are of paramount importance to ensure the provision of safe and reliable diagnostic services. Blood screening laboratories play a critical role in detecting and preventing the spread of infectious diseases, ensuring the safety of blood transfusions, and supporting medical diagnoses. To enhance the quality of processes in such laboratories, the Six Sigma methodology has gained significant recognition for its ability to systematically identify and minimize variations, thereby improving overall efficiency and reducing errors. This retrospective study aims to explore the application of Six Sigma metrics in the context of blood screening laboratories, providing an in-depth analysis of its implementation, benefits, and challenges. The performance of three serology assays, i.e., anti-HCV, HIV Ag/Ab combo, and HBsAg, using internal quality control (IQC) daily data extracted from six Alinity i instruments (Abbott GmbH, Germany), from February to April 2023, was evaluated. Mean, standard deviation (SD), and coefficient of variation (CV%) was calculated for positive controls. Bias was calculated using peer group data. Sigma metrics were calculated using allowable total error (TEa %) based on difference between the observed mean of the positive control and the s/co cut-off of assay. The observed CV% for positive controls was ≤10%. The TEa% ranged from 66% to 79% for the analytes using the observed mean. All the assays showed Six Sigma performance (σ>6) with and without bias. The study observed that the serology assays showed very high sigma values (σ>6) and thus, simplified statistical quality control (SQC) design based on Westgard Sigma rules could be implemented without compromising blood safety.