An update from our COVID-19 research
Woolcock Vietnam is working on a number of projects to help understand and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam.
In our February 2021 report, you can read updates from four of our projects. Download the full report in English or Vietnamese:
COVID- 19 research updates, February 2021
Cập nhật kết quả nghiên cứu về COVID- 19, Tháng 2 Năm 2021
In August 2022, our team completed the report COVID-19 coverage, behavioural and social drivers, communication activities in Vietnam: A narrative review.
Below you will find a summary of each project, and links to infographics that summarise our findings.
Measuring the prevalence of COVID-19
After taking blood samples from communities across Vietnam, our team found the incidence of COVID-19 was very low: positive SARS-CoV-2 serology varied between 0 and 1.1 percent of the population in sampled communities.
The results indicate that Vietnam's response has been effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19.
This project is providing reliable, detailed evidence to support the Vietnamese government's public health intervention strategy.
View an infographic on the results of the research:
In English: COVID-19 sero-prevalence survey
In Vietnamese: Khảo sát huyết thanh học COVID-19
Using X-rays to understand the health impacts of COVID-19
Pulmonary disease is a major manifestation of COVID-19 and an important cause of serious illness and death.
Our researchers used chest X-rays to investigate pulmonary abnormalities in COVID-19 patients.
They found that patients had a high incidence of chest X-ray abnormalities, despite most having only mild cases of COVID-19.
The researchers conclude that we urgently need better ways to identify patients at increased risk of pulmonary complications from COVID-19.
Infographic in English: Radiological and clinical characteristics of patients hospitalised with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in Vietnam: a descriptive study
Infographic in Vietnamese: Đặc điểm lâm sàng và X-quang phổi của bệnh nhân COVID-19 được điều trị nội trú tại Việt Nam: Nghiên cứu mô tả
Understanding people's experience of COVID-19 in Vietnam
In this study, researchers interviewed people infected with COVID-19 and their contacts to better understand their experiences of COVID-19.
The interviews uncovered a social stigma associated with COVID-19.
The researchers found that stigmatisation had caused some people to avoid reporting their symptoms, tracking their social interactions, or getting tested. This has made disease management more difficult.
The researchers call for better education and improved policies to avoid the detrimental effects of stigmatisation.
Watch a video on the key findings:
Implementing a large scale vaccine program in Vietnam
Our researchers undertook a review to help the Government prepare for a large-scale COVID-19 vaccination program.
The researchers find that Vietnam is generally well-prepared to produce and deliver COVID-19 vaccines. However, they also identify key challenges that need addressing to ensure a fair, safe and efficient vaccine roll out.
The researchers have produced an infographic on their findings
In Vietnamese: Thuận lợi và thách thức đối với hệ thống y tế trong việc triển khai tiêm chủng vắc xin covid-19 quy mô lớn tại Việt Nam