Evaluate the Effectiveness of Hubbard Purification Rundown Process for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, Related Strengths and Challenges

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the Hubbard purification rundown (PR) process for victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin at detoxification centers. Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study combining quantitative and qualitative methods and carried out on 30 dioxin patients, 21 health workers, and 299 medical records in Hanoi and Da Nang centers for dioxin detoxification (CDD) of Vietnam.Results: A small number of patients were clinically examined before enrolling in and after finishing the treatment, 35% and 0%, respectively. In addition, 15% of patients did not finish their daily PR session in the second step, while 20% of them were not evaluated daily for treatment effectiveness in the fourth step by health workers. Furthermore, 20% of patients did not follow all the 6 steps of the Hubbard PR program. Although centers were sufficiently equipped in terms of infrastructure and equipment, the study showed that there remained barriers in implementing the Hubbard PR process, such as the lack of human resources, wasteful usage of equipment, and the lack of technology application for electronic medical records management. For patients, the difficulties include the lack of awareness and understanding regarding the program, and high temperature during the PR sessions (63%), long PR duration (47%), too many medications and supplements (37%), as well as high cost of treatment (35%). Conclusion: Ensuring adherence and compliance at all steps in the Hubbard PR process can have a positive impact on the health improvement of AO/dioxin victims.