THE SUCCESSFUL SECOND SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE HEALTH ANTHROPOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP

During the time between June 03 and June 15, 2008, the Health Anthropology Research Group undertook a survey into Environment and Health in the area of An Hoa Ward – Hue City – Thua Thien Hue province (with 50 selected households of 199 people), as well as Tham Don Commune – My Xuyen District – Soc Trang province (with 50 selected households of 202 people). This survey was conducted with the cooperation among Center for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian Studies – USSH, Cho Ray Hospital, and Department of Human Ecology – University of Tokyo.

Despite the limited conduction time of the survey, the research group, according to Dr. Chiho Wanatabe – Leader of the Japanese team, was able to capture highly accurate data thanks to the wholehearted support from the governments at various levels, and collaborators and volunteers for the survey in the local areas. The Japanese research team, based on the data obtained, will commence to carry out analysis once they return to Japan. It is hoped by the group of researchers that the results received from the data analysis will assist in revealing some connections between economic activities and environment and people’s health over the process of conversion from traditional to modern agriculture. This will contribute towards scientific foundations, on which appropriate authorities will base to implement policies on developing economy, culture, and social security. In addition, this is hoped to assist local health centers in sounding due warnings in maintaining and promoting people’s health.

Several first judgments about the health issues at Tham Don Ward (My Xuyen District, Soc Trang Province) and An Hoa Ward (Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province) showed that there had been possibilities that the health problems in these areas might have been already shifted from “infection-predominating” pattern to “lifestyle-associated disease-predominating” one as the way most of the developed countries experienced. In spite of that, this notion needed confirmations by the acts of gathering far more data and by the fact that future health plans should be concentrating on prevention rather than treatment.

Nevertheless, the research group could not leap to the conclusion about the impacts of chemicals on people’s health and natural environment. The survey results in detail will be presented to the local authorities once the analysis are all performed.

Members of the research group:
1. Dr. Thanh Phan, Center for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian Studies, Leader
2. Dr.Tran Dinh Lam, Center for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian Studies, Member
3. Dr. Tran Thanh Vinh, M.Sc., Cho Ray Hospital, Member
4. Mr. Nong Bang Nguyen, M.A., Faculty of Anthropology, USSH, Member
5. Mr. Nguyen Minh Diem, B.Sc., Department of Bio-Chemistry, Cho Ray Hospital, Member
6. Mr. Nguyen Quang Nhut, B.A., Center for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian Studies, Member
7. Mr. Dao Thanh Quyen, B.A., Department of Ecological Culture and Tourism, Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts, Member
8. Prof. Chiho Wanatabe, University of Tokyo, Japan, Member
9. Dr. Ikemoto Yukio, University of Tokyo, Japa, Member
10. Dr. Mika Tanaka, University of Tokyo, Japan, Member
11. Dr. Hana Shimizu, University of Tokyo, Japan, Member
12. Dr. Hong Mei Jiang, University of Tokyo, Japan, Member

Visiting and working with Department of Health of Thua Thien Hue Province

Visiting and working with Department of Health of Soc Trang Province

Visiting and working with Health Center of My Xuyen District (Soc Trang Province)

Tac Gong Pagoda - Place of work of research group in Soc Trang Province

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