HIV knowledge and risk behaviors among drug users in three Vietnamese mountainous provinces

Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy

Carl A. Latkin¹  Phuong Linh Doan²  Huyen Phuc Do²  Hai Hong Nguyen²  Quan Hoang Vuong³  Vu Nguyen⁴  Cyrus S. H. Ho⁵  Roger C. M. Ho⁶  Huong Lan Thi Nguyen⁷  Xuan Thanh Thi Le⁸  Bach Xuan Tran⁸  Van Hai Hoang⁸  Huong Thi Le⁸  Thang Huu Nguyen⁸  Manh Tung Ho⁹  Van Nhue Dam^1,10  Anh Lan Thi Nguyen^1,11  Thu Trang Vuong^1,12  Mercedes Fleming^1,13  Manh Duc Pham^1,14  Tam Minh Thi Nguyen^1,14  Long Thanh Nguyen^1,14 

[1] Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University;Center of Excellence in Evidence-based Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University;Centre for Interdisciplinary Social Research, Phenikaa University;Department of Neurosurgery Spine-Surgery, Hanoi Medical University Hospital;Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital;Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore;Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University;Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University;Institute of Philosophy, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences;National Economics University;National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology;Sciences Po Paris, Campus de Dijon;University College Dublin;Vietnam Authority of HIV/AIDS Control, Ministry of Health;

关键词: Methadone maintenance;    HIV;    Mountainous Vietnam;    Knowledge;    Attitudes;    Practices;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13011-019-0191-8

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Globally, people who inject drugs are highly vulnerable to HIV transmission. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programs are one of the most cost-effective mechanisms to substitute opioid use and improve the quality of life of patients. Since the coverage of MMT is still limited and even for those patients who are treated, improving their knowledge on HIV and maintaining healthy behaviors are key to maximizing the outcomes of HIV harm reduction programs. This study examined the knowledge on HIV, perceived risk and HIV testing among drug users accessing methadone maintenance services in three Vietnamese mountainous areas. Methods A cross-sectional study of 300 people enrolling for MMT services in three provinces in Vietnam was conducted. The factors associated with the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of respondents about HIV/AIDS were exploited using multivariable logistic model. Results Of the 300-people surveyed, 99% knew of HIV and 60.6% were identified as having good knowledge. While 75.2% identified that injecting drugs was a risk factor for HIV, 52.2% thought they were not at risk of HIV mainly as they did not share needles. 92.6% had undergone HIV testing with 17.4% being positive, a number which was significantly lower than Vietnam’s national average for people who inject drugs. Age, ethnicity and education were associated with knowledge of HIV while ART treatment was linked to self-assessed HIV status. Conclusions This study sheds new light on the knowledge attitudes and practices of people who inject drugs, particularly males in mountainous areas of Vietnam regarding HIV prevention. Overall, knowledge was good with most conducting safe practices towards transmission. Enhanced education and targeting of minority groups could help in increasing the numbers receiving MMT and HIV services.

【 授权许可】

Unknown