Sexual behaviour related to HIV/AIDs: Commercial sex and condom use in Hanoi, Viet Nam

Thang, Nguyen Minh; Huong, Vu Thu; Blanc, Maria-Eve

doi:10.18356/32dfc431-en

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…A study in Hanoi in 2002 indicated that one-third of males aged 18–55 had ever had sex with a FSW; among that one-third, 45.3% had visited FSW more than five times in their life. Additionally, only 36.4% reported that they always used a condom with FSW [ 37 ]. This figure was higher among migrant workers, among whom one third reported having had sex with FSW within the preceding 12 months [ 13 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A hidden HIV epidemic among women in Vietnam

et al. 2008

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BackgroundThe HIV epidemic in Vietnam is still concentrated among high risk populations, including IDU and FSW. The response of the government has focused on the recognized high risk populations, mainly young male drug users. This concentration on one high risk population may leave other populations under-protected or unprepared for the risk and the consequences of HIV infection. In particular, attention to women's risks of exposure and needs for care may not receive sufficient attention as long as the perception persists that the epidemic is predominantly among young males. Without more knowledge of the epidemic among women, policy makers and planners cannot ensure that programs will also serve women's needs.MethodsMore than 300 documents appearing in the period 1990 to 2005 were gathered and reviewed to build an understanding of HIV infection and related risk behaviors among women and of the changes over time that may suggest needed policy changes.ResultsIt appears that the risk of HIV transmission among women in Vietnam has been underestimated; the reported data may represent as little as 16% of the real number. Although modeling predicted that there would be 98,500 cases of HIV-infected women in 2005, only 15,633 were accounted for in reports from the health system. That could mean that in 2005, up to 83,000 women infected with HIV have not been detected by the health care system, for a number of possible reasons. For both detection and prevention, these women can be divided into sub-groups with different risk characteristics. They can be infected by sharing needles and syringes with IDU partners, or by having unsafe sex with clients, husbands or lovers. However, most new infections among women can be traced to sexual relations with young male injecting drug users engaged in extramarital sex. Each of these groups may need different interventions to increase the detection rate and thus ensure that the women receive the care they need.ConclusionWomen in Vietnam are increasingly at risk of HIV transmission but that risk is under-reported and under-recognized. The reasons are that women are not getting tested, are not aware of risks, do not protect themselves and are not being protected by men. Based on this information, policy-makers and planners can develop better prevention and care programs that not only address women's needs but also reduce further spread of the infection among the general population.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A hidden HIV epidemic among women in Vietnam

et al. 2008

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“…Nepal's poverty, political instability, and gender inequality, combined with low levels of education, make the task all the more challenging, as well as the denial, stigma, and discrimination that surround HIV and AIDS [50]. Detailed information on sexual health behavior and knowledge and reduced premarital and extramarital sexual activity are considered as the most preventive measures for the spread of STIs/HIV/AIDS [53,56].…”

Section: Young People and The Hiv/aids Epidemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opportunities and Challenges of Sexual Health Services Among Young People: A Study in Nepal

Regmi

2009

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

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Introduction It has been well documented that young people are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual activity. Appropriate understanding of safe sex, sexual practices, and related behaviors must recognize the importance of socioeconomic and cultural factors in prevention efforts related to HIV and other sexual transmitted infections (STIs). Aim To examine and summarize the opportunities and challenges of sexual health services among young people in Nepal. Main Outcome Measures Review of literature—assessing knowledge, attitudes, and understanding of sex, sexual health, and related sexual risk behaviors, among young people (15–24), in line with the current sociocultural and health service practices. Methods Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Science, Cochrane database, and Google were searched. Similarly, documents published at the WHO, United Nations Population Fund, United Nations Development Program, and at national/local level—Ministry of Health, National Center for AIDS, and STD Control were also assessed to access the relevant reports and articles. Published and gray articles were also reviewed. Results This study contends growing expansion of communication and transportation networks, urbanization, and urban in-migration is creating a different sociocultural environment, which is conducive to more social interactions between young girls and boys in Nepal. Rising age at marriage opens a window of opportunity for premarital and unsafe sexual activity among young people and this creates risks of unwanted pregnancy, STIs/HIV and AIDS. Socioeconomic, demographic, and cultural factors have been identified as encouraging factors for risk-taking behaviors among young people. Conclusions Understanding safer sex and responsible sexual/reproductive behavior is important. Effective and appropriate interventions on sexual and reproductive health education directed at young people and the whole family, including fathers, could have significant effect on reducing risk and related risk practices in the context of Nepal.

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“…Although they do not wish to get pregnant, studies have highlighted that few women engaging in sexual relations use contraceptive methods -or use them incorrectly or inconsistently. Generally, there is a belief that contraceptives are for married couples who do not wish to have more children than they already do (Bélanger & Hong 1999, Nguyen Minh Thang et al 2002.…”

Section: Women's Sexuality and Abortionmentioning

confidence: 99%