Science Journal of Public Health

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HIV Risk Behaviours among Injecting Drug Users in Vietnam: A Review

Received: 11 April 2014    Accepted: 07 May 2014    Published: 20 May 2014
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Abstract

Background: There is high prevalence of HIV among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in Vietnam with a national level prevalence just under 20%. Both drug and sex related risk behaviors are widespread among IDUs. The objective of this review is to analyze HIV risk behaviors and identify the epidemiologic implications. Methods: Major databases were searched during November-December, 2011. Finally, 55 peer-reviewed articles were identified and reviewed to focus on risk behaviors of IDUs, Female Sex Workers (FSW) and drug policy and harm reduction program related issues. Results: Young injectors are involved in risk behaviors that include frequent sexual connections with FSWs. Our review found that young IDU subgroups (≤30 years) are engaged in high risk behaviors and have limited access to harm reduction services. Sexual risk factors associated with drug injecting FSWs may become the catalyst for a future heterosexual transmission if the prevalence rises further. Future research should focus on young injectors to investigate the structure and characteristics of networks to help guide harm reduction programs, including IDU subgroups. Conclusion: Vietnam has still a window of opportunity to learn from the experience of neighboring countries and, after modification, to incorporate preventative services suited to the needs of young injectors, into existing programs.

DOI 10.11648/j.sjph.20140203.22
Published in Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014)
Page(s) 209-215
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This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

HIV, AIDS, Vietnam, Injecting Drug User, Risk Behaviors

References
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Author Information
  • Griffith University, School of Medicine, South Bank Campus, 226 Grey Street, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

  • Vietnam Authority of HIV/AIDS Control, Lane 135/3 Nui Truc Street, Ba ?inh District, Hanoi, Vietnam

  • Vietnam Authority of HIV/AIDS Control, Lane 135/3 Nui Truc Street, Ba ?inh District, Hanoi, Vietnam

  • Griffith University, School of Medicine, Gold Coast Campus, Parklands Drive, Southport, Queensland, Australia

  • Griffith University, School of Medicine, South Bank Campus, 226 Grey Street, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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  • APA Style

    Tanvir Ahmed, Nguyen Thanh Long, Phan Thi Thu Huong, Chiao Tzu Patricia Lee, Donald Edwin Stewart. (2014). HIV Risk Behaviours among Injecting Drug Users in Vietnam: A Review. Science Journal of Public Health, 2(3), 209-215. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20140203.22

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    ACS Style

    Tanvir Ahmed; Nguyen Thanh Long; Phan Thi Thu Huong; Chiao Tzu Patricia Lee; Donald Edwin Stewart. HIV Risk Behaviours among Injecting Drug Users in Vietnam: A Review. Sci. J. Public Health 2014, 2(3), 209-215. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20140203.22

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    AMA Style

    Tanvir Ahmed, Nguyen Thanh Long, Phan Thi Thu Huong, Chiao Tzu Patricia Lee, Donald Edwin Stewart. HIV Risk Behaviours among Injecting Drug Users in Vietnam: A Review. Sci J Public Health. 2014;2(3):209-215. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20140203.22

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjph.20140203.22,
      author = {Tanvir Ahmed and Nguyen Thanh Long and Phan Thi Thu Huong and Chiao Tzu Patricia Lee and Donald Edwin Stewart},
      title = {HIV Risk Behaviours among Injecting Drug Users in Vietnam: A Review},
      journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {2},
      number = {3},
      pages = {209-215},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20140203.22},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20140203.22},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20140203.22},
      abstract = {Background: There is high prevalence of HIV among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in Vietnam with a national level prevalence just under 20%. Both drug and sex related risk behaviors are widespread among IDUs. The objective of this review is to analyze HIV risk behaviors and identify the epidemiologic implications. Methods: Major databases were searched during November-December, 2011. Finally, 55 peer-reviewed articles were identified and reviewed to focus on risk behaviors of IDUs, Female Sex Workers (FSW) and drug policy and harm reduction program related issues. Results: Young injectors are involved in risk behaviors that include frequent sexual connections with FSWs. Our review found that young IDU subgroups (≤30 years) are engaged in high risk behaviors and have limited access to harm reduction services. Sexual risk factors associated with drug injecting FSWs may become the catalyst for a future heterosexual transmission if the prevalence rises further. Future research should focus on young injectors to investigate the structure and characteristics of networks to help guide harm reduction programs, including IDU subgroups. Conclusion: Vietnam has still a window of opportunity to learn from the experience of neighboring countries and, after modification, to incorporate preventative services suited to the needs of young injectors, into existing programs.},
     year = {2014}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - HIV Risk Behaviours among Injecting Drug Users in Vietnam: A Review
    AU  - Tanvir Ahmed
    AU  - Nguyen Thanh Long
    AU  - Phan Thi Thu Huong
    AU  - Chiao Tzu Patricia Lee
    AU  - Donald Edwin Stewart
    Y1  - 2014/05/20
    PY  - 2014
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20140203.22
    DO  - 10.11648/j.sjph.20140203.22
    T2  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JF  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JO  - Science Journal of Public Health
    SP  - 209
    EP  - 215
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-7950
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20140203.22
    AB  - Background: There is high prevalence of HIV among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in Vietnam with a national level prevalence just under 20%. Both drug and sex related risk behaviors are widespread among IDUs. The objective of this review is to analyze HIV risk behaviors and identify the epidemiologic implications. Methods: Major databases were searched during November-December, 2011. Finally, 55 peer-reviewed articles were identified and reviewed to focus on risk behaviors of IDUs, Female Sex Workers (FSW) and drug policy and harm reduction program related issues. Results: Young injectors are involved in risk behaviors that include frequent sexual connections with FSWs. Our review found that young IDU subgroups (≤30 years) are engaged in high risk behaviors and have limited access to harm reduction services. Sexual risk factors associated with drug injecting FSWs may become the catalyst for a future heterosexual transmission if the prevalence rises further. Future research should focus on young injectors to investigate the structure and characteristics of networks to help guide harm reduction programs, including IDU subgroups. Conclusion: Vietnam has still a window of opportunity to learn from the experience of neighboring countries and, after modification, to incorporate preventative services suited to the needs of young injectors, into existing programs.
    VL  - 2
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

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