Name of assignment/project: Determining the prevalence of DR in Vietnam 

Year: 2021

Location: Da Nang City and Binh Dinh Province

Client: The Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF) Vietnam

Main project features: 

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes that leads to irreversible blindness if not adequately managed. However, there is currently no population-based data available on the prevalence of DR in Vietnam. High-quality evidence on the prevalence of DR in Vietnam and risk factors associated with this condition is needed to inform the delivery of DR services, the plan for adequate government-level responses, and to advocate for the allocation of the necessary resources to manage the condition. 

The primary aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of DR and its severity among adults in Da Nang City and Binh Dinh Province in Vietnam. The study also aims to identify the risk factors associated with DR in the study population. The sample size of 700 subjects in each province should therefore be obtained by sampling 14 clusters with 50 subjects in each. The survey is adapted the World Health Organization (WHO) stepwise approach (three steps) for NCDs surveillance to collect the data. These steps are: 

(i) Demographic and Behavioral Characteristic Data (WHO STEPS questionnaire)

(ii) Physical Measurements (Anthropometric measurements: height, weight, waist and hip circumference, and blood pressure); and 

(iii) Visual Acuity Check, Biochemical Measurements and Retinal Image Taken

Activities performed: Desk review of project documents; preparing data collection instruments and training materials; fieldwork supervisor; data cleaning; data analysis; and report production.

References: Phan Thi Trang (Ms) - Project Manager - 84 905 125 222 - tphan@hollows.org