The level and pattern of physical activity among fifth-grade students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Objectives: Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA), a significant proportion of children do not meet physical activity guidelines (PAGs). However, most studies were among secondary-school–aged youth and relied on PA self-report. In addition, information regarding children's PA behaviors during specific segments of day/week is not usually collected. This study, therefore, investigated the level and pattern of PA among fifth-grade students in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. Study design: A complex cross-sectional survey was conducted on a representative sample of 619 fifth-grade students in eight public schools in urban areas of HCMC in 2016. Methods: Demographic/anthropometric characteristics were measured using standard protocols. PA was measured using pedometers. After-school activities were measured using the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall questionnaire. Survey procedures with sampling weights were used for analyses. Results: Approximately 18% of children met the PAG; 52.7% were overweight (OW)/obese (OB). On average, students recorded about 8800 steps/day. Boys were more active than girls at school and on weekdays. Students were more active at school on physical education (PE) days vs non-PE days and weekdays vs weekends. OW/OB students were more active at school on PE days. After-school PAs differed between boys and girls, whereas sedentary activities were popular among both the genders. Conclusions: Most fifth-grade students had insufficient PA levels. Patterns of PA are different at various times during the day and week. The finding emphasized an urgent need for interventions to improve children's PA and obesity in this area

Correlates of physical activity in fifth-grade students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Studies investigating correlates of physical activity (PA) using objective PA measurements among primary school-aged children are limited in Asia, particularly Vietnam. This study examined psychosocial and environmental factors associated with PA among fifth-grade students in eight primary schools in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. Bivariate analyses showed that for every month increase in students’ age, an increase of 66 steps/day (p<0.05) was found; boys had 1442 more steps/day than girls (p<0.001); and students from lower income households had 1169 steps/day less than those from higher income households (p<0.01). For every unit increase in self-efficacy, perceived social influences, intention to be physically active, and parental support for PA, an increase of 220, 200, 522, and 117 steps/day (p<0.01) was found respectively. In multivariable analysis, only intention and parental support for PA remained significant (p<0.01). About 21% of variation in daily steps was explained by demographic characteristics and an additional 13% by psychosocial influences. In conclusion, intention to be physically active and parental support are important factors and should be considered when designing PA interventions in school/community-based settings

Psychometric properties of the Vietnamese Catquest-9 Short Form questionnaire

© Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. SIGNIFICANCE The Catquest-9 Short Form (SF) has good psychometric properties but was not available in Vietnamese. This study provides the Vietnamese Catquest-9SF and evidence supporting for its use in hospital settings along with clinical assessment to evaluate visual function. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Vietnamese Catquest-9SF. METHODS Literate patients with unilateral/bilateral cataract, without severe systemic and ocular comorbidities, aged 50+ years, and scheduled for first-eye surgery were screened and recruited at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City and Trung Vuong Hospital. Age, sex, and education were self-reported. The Catquest-9SF and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire were used to assess vision-related quality of life (VRQOL). Best-corrected unilateral and bilateral log of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity was measured, as was best-corrected Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity. Rasch analysis was performed on the Vietnamese version of the Catquest-9SF. Criterion validity and convergent validity were also evaluated. RESULTS Andrich thresholds and response categories on each Catquest-9SF item were ordered, indicating that patients were able to discriminate VRQOL levels. Person separation index and reliability were 2.51 and 0.86, respectively, indicating that the Catquest-9SF was able to distinguish between patients with low- and high-vision difficulties. The tool was unidimensional, with all items fitting well within the construct. There was no evidence of differential item functioning by sex, age group, or cataract status. The tool also showed criterion validity, correlating significantly with visual acuity in the better eye (r = -0.46), the worse eye (r = -0.39), and both eyes (r = -0.44), and with contrast sensitivity for the better eye (r = 0.41), the worse eye (r = 0.32), and both eyes (r = 0.39). A strong correlation between the Catquest-9SF and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (r = 0.87) indicated convergent validity. CONCLUSIONS The Vietnamese Catquest-9SF is valid and psychometrically robust for assessing VRQOL among cataract patients

School-based physical education: Physical activity and implementation barriers in Vietnamese elementary schools

Information about the Vietnamese physical education (PE) programme is limited due to a lack of relevant studies. Using the Health Optimising Physical Education as a conceptual framework, this study examined students’ physical activity (PA) levels in the fifth-grade PE programme in Vietnam and barriers to programme implementation. Eight schools (28 PE classes) were randomly selected for assessing students’ PA levels, lesson context, and PA promotion during PE lessons using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time. In-depth interviews were also conducted with school administrators, PE instructors, and classroom teachers using semi-structured guides to examine barriers influencing the implementation of the current PE programme. Results showed students spent 33% of PE time in moderate–vigorous physical activity (MVPA), which is less than the international recommendation of 50%. The amount of MVPA varied by school type, instructor gender and qualification. Programme implementation was negatively affected by the current structure that limits autonomy, a proclivity for a “one size fits all” approach to teaching PE, and limited motivation for PE instructors to improve their teaching. The low perceived value of PE, lack of support and professional development for existing PE instructors, and an over-emphasis on sports training due to available financial incentives were also identified as important barriers that affected programme implementation. Addressing these barriers could help improve the quality of the Vietnamese PE programme