title: Multimorbidity and its social determinants among older people in southern provinces, Vietnam.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Developing countries are poorly equipped for health issues related to ageing populations making multimorbidity challenging. As in Vietnam the focus tends to be on single conditions. Hence little is known about burden of multimorbidity. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and the determinants of multimorbidity among older people in Southern Vietnam.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in two provinces of Southern Vietnam with a sample of 2400 people aged 60 years and older. The presence of chronic disease was ascertained by medical examination done by physicians at commune health stations. Information on social and demographic factors was collected using structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the factors associated with multimorbidity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly 40 % of older people had multimorbidity. Currently not working, and healthcare utilisation were associated with higher prevalence of multimorbidity. Living in urban areas and being literate were associated with lower prevalence of multimorbidity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study found a high burden of multimorbidity among illiterate, especially those living in rural areas. This highlights the need for targeted community based programs aimed at reducing the burden of chronic disease.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, 159 Hung Phu Street, District 8, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. ninh.ha05@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ninh Thi
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, 159 Hung Phu Street, District 8, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. lehoangninh@iph.org.vn.
authors.forename: Ninh Hoang
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Le
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia. khanal.vishnu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vishnu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Khanal
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia. R.moorin@curtin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moorin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064890:Social Determinants of Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology