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HIV Prevention Interventions for Female Sexual Partners of Injection Drug Users in Hanoi, Vietnam: 24-Month Evaluation Results

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Abstract

Vietnam’s HIV epidemic is driven by injection drug use. Most IDUs are sexually active and may infect their female sexual partners (SPs). We implemented peer-based HIV prevention interventions for SPs in Hanoi. This paper reports on an evaluation of these interventions based on cross-sectional surveys of SPs. Our data show that this population can be reached, relationships improved, and consistent condom use increased (27% at 24 months up from 16% at 12 months: P = 0.002). Self-reported condom use at last sex was 3.5 times higher among participants in the intervention than among non-participants after controlling for selection bias, indicating a possible intervention effect. However, no significant association was found for consistent condom use in the previous 6 months. Many SPs remain at risk for HIV and interventions must promote a range of HIV prevention strategies including consistent condom use, lower risk sexual activity, and ARV treatment as prevention.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding and technical support of USAID and Pact Vietnam. The sexual partners project in Hanoi was begun in 2007 under a sub-agreement between Pact and Abt Associates (with USAID funding) and, in January, 2009 it was incorporated into the USAID-funded Health Policy Initiative Vietnam project implemented by Abt Associates. The authors also thank the district coordinators, peer educators, and clients of the sexual partners project, as well as the staffs of Dong Da Hospital (where the cross-sectional surveys were conducted) and Abt’s local partners in Hanoi, the Institute for Social Development Studies and Supporting Community Development Initiatives.

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Correspondence to Theodore M. Hammett.

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Hammett, T.M., Kling, R., Van, N.T.H. et al. HIV Prevention Interventions for Female Sexual Partners of Injection Drug Users in Hanoi, Vietnam: 24-Month Evaluation Results. AIDS Behav 16, 1164–1172 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0062-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0062-4

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