Social science research on HIV in Vietnam: A critical review and future directions

Abstract

Social science research, with theoretical and methodological tools that are well suited to capture the complexities of Vietnam’s rapidly changing social and political context, could contribute important insights that would enhance the response to Vietnam’s growing HIV epidemic. The present paper reviews the published, peer-reviewed English-language social science literature on HIV in Vietnam in order to identify critical theoretical and substantive gaps and lay the groundwork for future research. We found four broad foci for work on the social context of HIV and AIDS in Vietnam: the cultural meanings and social relationships that shape Vietnam’s HIV epidemic; stigma and discrimination; social inequality and structural violence as contributors to HIV risk; and, finally, how broader global and social systems shape Vietnam’s HIV epidemic. We signal the particular need for additional research on the effects of the media on attitudes toward HIV and AIDS, on social movements, and on health systems, as well as on a number of other key areas. Work along these lines, in addition to more effective communication of policy-relevant findings to those responsible for the development and implementation of policies and programmes, will strengthen Vietnam’s response to HIV and AIDS.

Stigma and intersectionality: a systematic review of systematic reviews across HIV/AIDS, mental illness, and physical disability

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Intravenous heroin use in Haiphong, Vietnam: Need for comprehensive care including methamphetamine use-related interventions

“…Nevertheless, and whatever the profile of risk-related behaviours, many PWID had unprotected sex with their primary sexual partner despite being unaware of their partner’s or their own HIV status. This could constitute a risk for HIV transmission and suggests the need for wider promotion of HIV screening among PWID and their sexual partners, and among the children of women who screen HIV positive (Dao et al, 2013; Hammett et al, 2007). …”

An international perspective on using opioid substitution treatment to improve hepatitis C prevention and care for people who inject drugs: Structural barriers and public health potential

“…(Nguyen, Nguyen, Pham, Vu, & Mulvey, 2012) While Doi Moi has been accompanied by significant cultural transformations, injection drug use has remained highly criminalized and stigmatized (national law labels it a “social evil”), informed in part by collective historical memory of the impact of the British imperialistic opium trade on the Vietnamese population. (Dao, Hirsch, Giang le, & Parker, 2013; Reid & Higgs, 2011) In 2006 the Vietnamese government formally endorsed harm reduction interventions, yet the expansion of MMT for opioid dependence met with greater resistance than did the expansion of NSP, for reasons including these historical memories and caution in establishing a national dependence on externally produced medication. (Edington & Bayer, 2013) PWUDs identified by police may be sent to compulsory drug treatment centers, estimated to hold 50,000–60,000 PWUDs in which drug treatment is non-OST-based.…”