Evaluating Training Need for Epidemic Control in Three Metropolitans: Implications for COVID-19 Preparedness in Vietnam.
Diep Ngoc Nguyen, Huong Thi Le, Phong Khanh Thai, Xuan Thi Thanh Le, Men Thi Hoang, Linh Gia Vu, Toan Thi Thanh Do, Khanh Nam Do, Giap Van Vu, Tu Huu Nguyen, Thanh Tuan Le, Trung Dinh Tran, Dat Van Truong, Cuong Duy Do, Thu Ha Nguyen, Dung Tri Phung, Son Hong Nghiem, Thuc Thi Minh Vu, Bach Xuan Tran, Carl A Latkin, Roger C M Ho, Cyrus S H Ho
Author Information
Diep Ngoc Nguyen: Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam.
Huong Thi Le: Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Phong Khanh Thai: Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Xuan Thi Thanh Le: Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Men Thi Hoang: Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam.
Linh Gia Vu: Center of Excellence in Evidence-Based Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Toan Thi Thanh Do: Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Khanh Nam Do: Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Giap Van Vu: Department of Internal Medicine, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Tu Huu Nguyen: Vietnam Young Physicians' Association, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Thanh Tuan Le: Vietnam National Heart Institute, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Trung Dinh Tran: Faculty of Public Health, Danang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, Da Nang, Vietnam.
Dat Van Truong: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Cuong Duy Do: National Hospital of Tropical Diseases, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Thu Ha Nguyen: Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Dung Tri Phung: School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, QLD, Australia.
Son Hong Nghiem: Centre for Applied Health Economics (CAHE), Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Thuc Thi Minh Vu: Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Bach Xuan Tran: Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Carl A Latkin: Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.
Roger C M Ho: Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Cyrus S H Ho: Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
Upon the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries worldwide face a critical shortage of human resources in the health sector. Medical students are a potential task force with the capability to support the stretched health sector. This study aims to evaluate their training need for epidemic control in order to employ them effectively. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a web-based survey from December 2019 to February 2020. There were 5,786 observations collected using the snowball sampling technique. Logistic regression was applied to identify factors associated with training participation in epidemic prevention and disaster prevention. Multiple Poisson regression model was constructed to examine factors associated with the number of times they participated in sanitation training and disaster prevention activities in the previous 12 months. Sanitation and health education communication activities had the highest proportion of participants, with 76.5 and 38.4%, followed by examining and treating diseases in the community (13.4%). Those who participated in community activities had a higher number of times to participate in epidemic sanitation training and be involved in disaster prevention. This study informed the need for training programs to prepare medical students for COVID-19 epidemic responses. The training curriculum should include both theoretical approaches and contextual approaches to achieve efficient epidemic control.
