Huyen Phuc Do, Thang Van Vo, Linda Murray, Philip R.A. Baker, Aja Murray, Sara Valdebenito, Manuel Eisner, Bach Xuan Tran, Bao-Yen Luong-Thanh, Lan Hoang Nguyen, Michael P. Dunne
Child Abuse & Neglect
Background: Despite the detrimental effects and life-course health consequences of violence exposure, relatively few studies have adequate capacity to investigate the evolution of violence from childhood to motherhood. Objective: This study aims to examine the cyclical nature of childhood abuse and prenatal interpartner violent victimization (p-IPV) and its adverse impact on childbirth trauma and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice in Vietnam. Method: Using a prospective birth cohort, 150 pregnant women were recruited in the third trimester of pregnancy in Hue city in central Vietnam (Wave 1-Baseline) and re-interviewed approximately three months after delivery (Wave 2-Follow-up). The direct and indirect effects of violent victimization on subsequent childbirth experience (measured by Birth Memories and Recall Questionnaire) and EBF practice were estimated by using augmented-inverse-probabilityweighted models, sensitivity analysis, and structural equation model. Results: Detrimental and prolonged effects of the inter-generational cycle of violence transverse childhood to motherhood. Women who experienced either childhood abuse or p-IPV violence were more likely to experience negative emotional childbirth memories [ARR 1.21, 95 % CI (1.04, 1.39)]. Evidence also suggested that not continuing to exclusively breastfeed at 3 months post-partum was strongly associated with prenatal depression, young age, and perceived low social status during pregnancy. Perceived strong connectedness among extended family members and social networks (i.e. nexus among family, friends, and neighborhood) provided a buffering
effect by preventing EBF termination.
Conclusion: This research provides insights into the protective role of social connectedness in
improving breastfeeding practice. It is vital to establish wholistic antenatal care and social service
system to offer specialized support and response for victims of violence and mitigate the longterm sequelae of traumatic events.
Harm Reduction Journal
Introduction: The emergence of widespread amphetamine-type stimulants (ATSs) usage has created signifcant
challenges for drug control and treatment policies in Southeast Asian countries. This study analyses the development
of drug policies and examines current treatment program constraints in Vietnam to deal with ATS misuse. The aim was
to gain insights that may be useful for national and international drug-related policy development and revision.
Methods: A desk review of national policy documents and 22 in-depth key informant interviews were conducted
from 2019 to 2021. Thematic content analysis was employed to identify key themes and their connections.
Results: Analysis identifed Vietnam’s 30-year history of developing policies and formulating strategies to reduce
supply, demand, and harm from illicit drugs. With the increasing number of people who use ATS (PWUA), Vietnam
has recently promoted harsh policy and law enforcement to deter drug use and supply. This policy trend prevails in
many Asian countries. The three main constraints in dealing with ATS misuse emerged from punitive and restrictive
drug policies. First, the general public believed that Centre-based compulsory treatment (CCT) is the only appropriate
treatment for all types of illicit drug addiction despite its low-quality service provision. The rigid drug policy has led
to social persuasion with impractical expectations for CCT efectiveness. Second, the emphasis on punishment and
detention has hampered new drug treatment service development in Vietnam. CCT has become monopolistic in the
context of impoverished services. Third, people who use drugs tend to hide their needs and avoid formal treatment
and support services, resulting in declined social coherence.
Conclusion: While new drugs are constantly evolving, the current law enforcement approach potentially constrains
expertise to adopt efective treatment services. This study suggests that the top-down policing mechanism presently
hinders the development of an appropriate intervention strategy for ATS misuse and diminishes social support to
service providers
Frontiers in Psychiatry
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