2 results
9 - Trends and Drivers of Inequality in Vietnam
- Edited by Hwok Aun Lee, ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, Christopher Choong, London School of Economics and Political Science
-
- Book:
- Inequality and Exclusion in Southeast Asia
- Published by:
- ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute
- Published online:
- 01 September 2023, pp 295-322
-
- Chapter
- Export citation
-
Summary
INTRODUCTION
There is a broad consensus that inequality is harmful for sustainable development. Kuznets (1955) observed the historical record of growth and inequality in some industrialized countries. As incomes grew, inequality first increased and then decreased after a peak. However, recent studies show that inequality can reduce economic growth and increase poverty, and it is possible that an economy can grow without rising inequality, especially in the early stages (Alesina and Rodrik 1994; Persson and Tabellini 1994; Deininger and Squire 1998; Bourguignon 2003). Inequality can also increase the social conflict and violence (Cramer 2003; Østby 2013; Ferrer-i-Carbonell and Ramos 2014). Inequality is also found to be negatively correlated with happiness and life satisfaction (Dolan, Peasgood and White 2008; Schneider 2015; Tran, Nguyen and Van Vu 2018). Understanding the trends and drivers of inequality is, therefore, very important not only for researchers but also policymakers.
In this study, we examine changes in inequality in Vietnam over time and analyse potential drivers of inequality using decomposition and regression methods. Although Vietnam has achieved relatively broad-based economic growth, there is still a large gap in living standards between population subgroups. Thus, in this study we also investigate the gaps in living standards between the Kinh majority and ethnic minorities in Vietnam. Using the richly detailed Vietnam Household Living Standards Surveys (VHLSSs) of 2002 to 2016, we estimate inequality levels and patterns based on different living standards indicators.
Vietnam is an interesting case to look at. Since 1987, the economy of Vietnam has experienced rapid economic growth as well as structural transformation from a centrally planned economy to a market-based economy. As a result of economic growth, poverty has decreased dramatically with the poverty headcount ratio (using the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day (2005 PPP)) falling from 43.6 per cent in 1993 to 14.3 per cent in 2008 (World Bank 2013). In 2016, according to the international poverty line of US$3.20 a day (2011 PPP), the rate was around 8.6 per cent (World Bank 2018). Extreme poverty is almost eliminated, with only 2 per cent of the population living on less than 2011 PPP US$1.90 per day.
Economic growth is not associated with rising inequality in Vietnam. Estimates from VHLSSs show that inequality of expenditure has been very stable in Vietnam.
A family empowerment strategy is associated with increased healthcare worker hand hygiene in a resource-limited setting
- Jeffrey I. Campbell, Thanh Thuy Pham, Trang Le, Thi Thu Huong Dang, Celeste J. Chandonnet, Thi Hoa Truong, Hao Duong, Duc Duat Nguyen, Thi Huyen Le, Thi Ha Tran, Thi Kim Oanh Nguyen, Thi Minh Than Ho, Kien Ngai Le, Todd M. Pollack, Thomas J. Sandora
-
- Journal:
- Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology / Volume 41 / Issue 2 / February 2020
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 10 December 2019, pp. 202-208
- Print publication:
- February 2020
-
- Article
- Export citation
-
Background:
Guidelines recommend empowering patients and families to remind healthcare workers (HCWs) to perform hand hygiene (HH). The effectiveness of empowerment tools for patients and their families in Southeast Asia is unknown.
Methods:We performed a prospective study in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a Vietnamese pediatric referral hospital. With family and HCW input, we developed a visual tool for families to prompt HCW HH. We used direct observation to collect baseline HH data. We then enrolled families to receive the visual tool and education on its use while continuing prospective collection of HH data. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of HH in baseline and implementation periods.
Results:In total, 2,014 baseline and 2,498 implementation-period HH opportunities were observed. During the implementation period, 73 families were enrolled. Overall, HCW HH was 46% preimplementation, which increased to 73% in the implementation period (P < .001). The lowest HH adherence in both periods occurred after HCW contact with patient surroundings: 16% at baseline increased to 24% after implementation. In multivariable analyses, the odds of HCW HH during the implementation period were significantly higher than baseline (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.54–3.41; P < .001) after adjusting for observation room, HCW type, time of observation (weekday business hours vs evening or weekend), and HH moment.
Conclusions:The introduction of a visual empowerment tool was associated with significant improvement in HH adherence among HCWs in a Vietnamese PICU. Future research should explore acceptability and barriers to use of similar tools in low- and middle-income settings.