Abstract

Objectives: This paper aimed to review and synthesise the qualitative research evidence on the experiences and perceptions of dementia in Vietnam and among the Vietnamese diaspora.

Methods: Systematic searches were conducted in June 2019 using Medline, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO and Cochrane electronic databases, as well as grey literature. Keywords and Medical Subject Headings [MeSH terms] for dementia and associated terms were combined with keywords for Vietnam and its provinces. Qualitative research articles published in English or Vietnamese were included to examine evidence on the life experiences of Vietnamese people with dementia using thematic analysis.

Results: Our searches resulted in 3,940 papers, from which 21 qualitative research studies were included for final analysis. The majority of research has not been undertaken in Vietnam but with the Vietnamese diaspora in Western countries and has taken a cultural perspective to analyses. Research in Western countries has focused on the need for culturally adapted and culturally sensitive models of care. Emerging themes about the life experiences of Vietnamese people with dementia identified from the studies included: many people do not have diagnostic terms for dementia but use the descriptive language of symptoms; stigma was a reported problem and on occasions can be observed in the descriptive language used for people with dementia; cultural and traditional values create both an opportunity and a barrier, supporting compassion, family care and relaxation, but creating barriers to accessing health services or long-term residential care.

Conclusions: This is the first systematic review reporting qualitative evidence on the life experiences of people with dementia in Vietnam and among the Vietnamese diaspora. Future research is needed on the voice of people with dementia themselves and their caregivers particularly in Vietnam, and low and middle-income countries with regards to living with dementia, pathways to care from diagnosis, treatment, care and support, additional social care and preparedness for end of life care for people with dementia.

摘要

目标：本文旨在回顾和综合有关越南和越南侨民对痴呆症的经历和看法的定性研究证据。

方法：于 2019 年 6 月使用 Medline、Embase、Emcare、PsycINFO 和 Cochrane 电子数据库以及灰色文献进行系统检索。痴呆症和相关术语的关键词和医学主题词 [MeSH 术语] 与越南及其省份的关键词相结合。包括以英语或越南语发表的定性研究文章，以使用主题分析检查越南痴呆症患者生活经历的证据。

结果：我们的搜索产生了 3,940 篇论文，其中 21 项定性研究被纳入最终分析。大多数研究不是在越南进行的，而是针对散居在西方国家的越南人进行的，并从文化角度进行了分析。西方国家的研究侧重于对文化适应和文化敏感的护理模式的需求。从研究中确定的关于越南痴呆症患者生活经历的新主题包括：许多人没有痴呆症的诊断术语，但使用症状的描述性语言；耻辱是一个报告的问题，有时可以在用于痴呆症患者的描述性语言中观察到；文化和传统价值观既创造了机会，也创造了障碍，支持同情心，

结论：这是第一份系统评价，报告了关于越南和越南侨民中痴呆症患者生活经历的定性证据。未来需要研究痴呆症患者及其照顾者的声音，特别是在越南和中低收入国家，关于痴呆症患者的生活、诊断、治疗、护理和支持的护理途径、额外的社会护理和准备为痴呆症患者提供临终关怀。