The proportion of geriatric depression recorded in Vietnam was 66.9%. Depression in older people is a risk factor for problems related to dementia, poor quality of life, and suicide. To have a good Vietnamese questionnaire for assessing geriatric depression, we conducted the study to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Geriatric Depression Scale—long-form with 30 items (GDS-30). The study has two steps. Step 1 is a translation of the GDS-30 scale. We followed the guideline by Beaton et al., (2000 & 2007). Firstly, two translators (informed and uninformed) translated the questionnaires. Secondly, the translations were synthesized. Thirdly, back translation was performed by two translators fluent in both Vietnamese and English but completely unknown of the original version of the scale and did not have medical expertise. Finally, seven experts reached a consensus on the pre-final Vietnamese version (GDS-30). Step 2 is a field test of the questionnaires on people 60 years or older. Then, we determined the internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the questionnaire in 55 Vietnamese inpatients in a geriatric department. Construct validity was determined by examining the relationship between depressive scores and patient characteristics. The Vietnamese version of GDS-30 was built with the agreement of all experts on the semantic, idiomatic, experiential, and conceptual equivalences between the original and pre-final Vietnamese versions of the GDS-30. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient value was 0.928, indicating the items’ adequate internal consistency. Spearman’s correlation coefficient value of total scores between the first and second interviews showed medium correlation (0.479, p < 0.001), and the stability is acceptable. The GDS-30 scale reached the construct validity because the proportion of geriatric depression according to GDS-30 was significantly different between characteristics groups, such as gender, employment, level of education, economic status, and sleep disturbance. The Vietnamese version of the GDS-30 scale had high consistency, satisfactory reliability, and understanding and can be used as a screening tool for depression in elderly patients in primary healthcare centers. This is the first depression rating scale for the elderly in Vietnam to be translated and validated. Non-psychiatric health professionals or patients can quickly self-assess and screen for the illness.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) requires constant self-management and self-efficiency, which affects the quality of life among patients. It is important to understand the complex interplay between these factors to improve the results of treatment. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between self-management, self-efficacy, and quality of life among diabetes mellitus patients. A cross-sectional study of 363 diabetes patients from three public hospitals in Cao Lanh City, Vietnam, was conducted. Self-management, self-efficacy, and quality of life were assessed using the 35-item Diabetes Self-Management Instrument (DSMI), the 6-item Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease Scale (SECD6), and the 5-item European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 5 Level Version (EQ-5D-5L), respectively. Network analysis was performed to visually describe the relationship between self-management (which includes five domains of self-integration, self-regulation, interaction with health professionals and other significant people, self-monitoring, and medication adherence), self-efficacy, and quality of life. The network analysis showed that self-monitoring had the highest centrality. Two subscales of self-management, adherence and self-integration, were directly and positively correlated with quality of life, while the interaction was directly and negatively correlated with quality of life. Self-efficacy was positively correlated with self-regulation and self-monitoring, while it was negatively correlated with adherence. A direct positive correlation was also found between self-efficacy and quality of life. In conclusion, these findings highlight the pivotal role of self-management and self-efficacy in enhancing quality of life. Future studies should focus on patient education interventions to enhance adherence and self-efficacy, ultimately improving the quality of life in people with diabetes.

Context: Although traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (T&CAM) is widely utilized in Vietnam, limited data are available regarding its usage and public attitudes in Can Tho. Aims: To identify factors associated with the practice and attitudes toward T&CAM among the adult population in Can Tho, Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at seven public healthcare facilities in Can Tho City. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire distributed to 1400 patients, of which 1075 valid responses were analyzed. Binary logistic regression and principal component analysis were employed to identify predictors of T&CAM use and to evaluate underlying dimensions of participant attitudes. Results: Among participants, 77.4% reported current use of practitioner-recommended T&CAM, while 46.7% reported self-administered use. Urban residency and marital status were significantly associated with both types of T&CAM use (p<0.001). Principal component analysis revealed two attitudinal dimensions: perceived benefits and concerns regarding T&CAM. Older age, cohabitation with relatives, and practitioner-recommended use were significantly associated with higher benefit scores (p<0.05). Female gender and younger age were associated with greater concern scores (p<0.05). Conclusions: High levels of T&CAM use and predominantly favorable attitudes were observed among adults in Can Tho. Findings may assist healthcare providers in identifying target groups for evidence-based education and safer integration of traditional medicine practices.

Background/Objectives: Depression accompanying hypertension increases the burden of illness and negatively affects patients’ lives. However, depression among elderly with cardiovascular diseases in general and hypertension in specific has not been paid proper attention, especially in the context of Vietnam. Therefore, we expected to examine the prevalence, characteristics, and related factors of depression on elderly patients with hypertension. Methods: A cross-sectional study at the Department of Geriatrics, Can Tho Central General Hospital (from April 2020 to February 2022), involving 414 patients aged ≥60 years with hypertension. Depression was assessed using ICD-10 diagnostic criteria; related factors were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), KATZ12 index, and UCLA-LS3-J11 scale. Results: 31.4% of participants were found to have depression (mild 17.7%, moderate 9.7%, severe 4.0%). Common characteristics of depression included sleep disturbances, decreased energy, and low mood. Poor sleep quality, being female, lower socioeconomic status, higher hypertension grade, and increased loneliness were found to be significantly associated with depression. Conclusions: The high prevalence of depression among elderly hypertensive patients highlights the need for effective screening and intervention strategies. Addressing factors such as sleep quality, gender, socioeconomic challenges, and social isolation may help mitigate the burden of depression in this vulnerable population. This research should be expanded to elderly patients with hypertension in society, outpatients, and individuals with other chronic diseases. Developing a predictive model for depression in elderly patients, particularly those with chronic diseases, can improve early detection, treatment effectiveness, and overall care quality.