In the framework of the project EBLS - Evidence for Better Lives, from Feb14^th to Feb16^th 2019, the  Institute for Community Health Research (ICHR) – Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Hue University had organized the training workshop on data collection for the Study "Providing evidence for the development of future generations". The results of this study will point out the main risk factors of the development of children. This study was planned as a small – scale test for a larger EBLS study which will be conducted in Hue. and 7 other cities around the world during the period of 2020 - 2025.

Picture 1: A/Professor Vo Van Thang - Director of ICHR and EBLS Site Team Leader in Hue - Orienting the workshop

Presenting at the workshop were A/Prof Vo Van Thang (Director of ICHR and EBLS Site Team Leader ); Dr. Luong Thanh Bao Yen (Researcher of ICHR – EBLS Coordinator in Hue); A/Prof Nguyen Hoang Lan (Researcher of ICHR – EBLS Fieldwork Coordinator in Hue); Dr. Le Phan Minh Triet (Deputy Head of Hematology Department); Dr. Tran Nhu Minh Hang (Head of Mental Health Department); fieldworkers who were midwives currently working in Tay Loc, Phu Binh, Phuoc Vinh, Thuy Bieu, Huong Long, Phu Hoi, Phu Hiep and An Tay wards - which were the research sites in Hue; laboratory technicians of the Hematology Department - Blood Transfusion - Hospital of University of Medicine and Pharmacy; and all other staffs of the ICHR and members of the EBLS research team in Hue.

Picture 2: A/Prof Nguyen Hoang Lan – EBLS Fieldwork Coordinator – mainly responsible for training all of the data collection processes.

The study will collect data from 150 women aged 18 and over who have lived in Hue for more than 6 months, have been pregnant in the third trimester of their pregnancy (from 29 to 40 weeks), have agreed to participate in the study and randomly selected from the maternity list. The process of collecting information includes: fieldworkers will contact and schedule appointment then face-to-face interviewing with the pregnant women using the questionnaire on tablets; after conducting the interview, the technician will collect hair samples and dry blood samples from the pregnant women. The collection of biological samples will be carried out at the Community Health Centre (CHC) by technicians from the Department of Hematology to ensure the safety of the participants; 3 months later after the delivery, the fieldworkers will contact the mother again to collect information about the child’s health. All ethical standards for data collection have also been approved by the Ethics Committee of Biomedical Research from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy – Hue University. The women will be interviewed and collected biological samples only when they agree and commit by signature in the consent form, as well as having the right to stop interview at any time if they want.

During the training workshop, the fieldworkers, the data collecting supervisors as well as the technicians were presented the research overview; data collection processes and information on data collection methods such as how to store and transport biological samples for storage; the research ethics and must-have skills for interviewing… Especially, Dr.Tran Nhu Minh Hang had a very helpful sharing about some unexpected psychological problems that might be encountered while interacting with pregnant women and the way to manage those situations. Fieldworkers and technicians also had actual interview with pregnant women and practicing biological sampling following to the research process.

The study have been planned to start collecting data from Feb 20^th 2019 and expected to be completed in June 2019.

Pictures of the workshop:

Picture 3: Dr.Tran Nhu Minh Hang shared her experiences as well as the solutions to handle psychological situations can be arised when interviewing the pregnant women

Picture 4: Discussions during the workshop

Picture 5: Fieldworkers practicing using the tablets and conducting actual interview at the CHC

Picture 6: Technicians practicing on collecting biological sample including dried blood samples and hair samples

See more details about the project at the following links:

• http://iccchr-hue.org.vn/vn/news/the-launch-of-the-evidence-for-better-lives-study?key=364

• https://www.vrc.crim.cam.ac.uk/vrcresearch/EBLS