Peer Education for HIV Prevention in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: A National Assessment
Author(s)
Van Khoat, Dang; West, Gary R.; Valdiserri, Ronald O.; Phan, Ngoc Thi
Abstract
In 2000, the government of Vietnam conducted the first assessment of its national peer education program for HIV prevention. Although most provinces targeted IDU and many targeted CSW, few provinces targeted sex partners of IDU or CSW. The definition of peer education and composition of teams varied substantially by province; only one province included persons living with HIV/AIDS as peer educators. The services provided by peer educators were primarily distributional: delivering information either through word of mouth, pamphlets, or brochures, providing condoms, and sometimes providing clean syringes and needles. Skills building or goal setting interventions aimed at HIV risk reduction were rarely provided. Most provinces had concerns about ongoing funding and sustainability of the programs. Based on the assessment, specific recommendations were provided for strengthening and expanding Vietnam’s peer education programs.
