Background
Methods
Setting
Participants
Ethics
Instrument
Analysis
Results
Selected characteristics of the sample
Knowledge
HIV basic sciences (Epidemiology, Virology, Immunology)
Variable | N (%) |
---|---|
When does mother-to-child HIV transmission happen | |
All three stages | 128 (64.0) |
Groups where HIV is most prevalent | |
Persons who inject drugs | 185 (92.5) |
Female sex workers | 184 (92.0) |
Men who have sex with men | 122 (61.0) |
How long can HIV survive outside body | |
A few days | 29 (14.5) |
HIV can be destroyed by which sterilizing method | |
Regular disinfectants | 100 (50.0) |
UV rays/gamma rays | 134 (67.0) |
The main target cells that HIV infects and depletes | |
TCD4 lymphocytes | 82 (41.0) |
How does HIV affect TCD4 lymphocytes | |
Changes in TCD4 lymphocytes count | 146 (73.0) |
Infection risk of HBV&HCV compared to HIV | |
Hepatitis B Higher | 92 (46.0) |
Hepatitis C Higher | 77 (38.5) |
Which body fluids transmit HIV | |
Blood | 200 (100.0) |
Semen | 176 (88.0) |
Vaginal Fluid | 175 (87.5) |
Breast milk | 165 (82.5) |
HIV prevention
Variable (N = 200) | N(%) |
---|---|
HIV can be prevented by | |
Condom use during sexual intercourse | 189 (94.5) |
Do not use shared syringes | 198 (99.0) |
Safe blood transfusion | 199 (99.5) |
No HIV vaccine available for prevention | 164 (82.0) |
Circumstances of occupational exposure | |
Blood/body secretions onto scratches/wounds | 189 (94.5) |
Skin puncture by needles | 199 (99.5) |
How should occupational HIV exposure be handled | |
On-the-spot treatment of the injury | 173 (86.5) |
Assess HIV exposure risk | 156 (78.0) |
Determine HIV status of the source person | 158 (79.0) |
Test for HIV 03–06 months after exposure | 192 (96.0) |
ARV treatment for the exposed person | 166 (83.0) |
Have ever heard about HIV harm reduction programs | 122 (61.0) |
The role of Voluntarily Counseling and Testing | |
Provide HIV test results | 92 (46.0) |
Help PLHIV better understand available services | 102 (51.0) |
Reduce and mitigate discrimination | 75 (37.5) |
Reduce risk behaviors for people testing negative for HIV | 81 (40.5) |
Reduce risk of transmissible behavior of PLHIV | 107 (53.5) |
Provide psychological support for PLHIV | 102 (51.0) |
Provide support in the disclosure of HIV status | 48 (24.0) |
Enhance treatment adherence | 81 (40.5) |
When is post-exposure ARV treatment is effective | |
As soon as possible if the source person is known to have HIV | 178 (89.0) |
HIV care and treatment
Variable (N = 200) | N(%) |
---|---|
Most common co- infections/syndromes in Vietnam | |
Tuberculosis (TB) | 180 (90.0) |
Oral mycosis | 118 (59.0) |
Wasting syndrome/Chronic fatigue syndrome | 72 (36.0) |
What qualifies a PLHIV for ARV treatment | |
Clinical and para-clinical conditions | 128 (64.0) |
Main cause of ARV drug resistance | |
Non adherence to treatment | 91 (45.5) |
How to enhance ARV treatment adherence | |
Regular treatment monitoring and supervision | 176 (88.0) |
Challenges facing workers and provision of counseling | 144 (72.0) |
Community outreach of healthcare services | 115 (57.5) |
Peer group’s support | 135 (67.5) |
Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) | 110 (55.0) |
Methadone therapy for Heroin addicts living with HIV | 56 (28.0) |
Education/counseling on treatment adherence | 156 (78.0) |
Available support services related to ARV treatment | |
Counseling and support for treatment adherence | 178 (89.0) |
Palliative care | 111 (55.5) |
Home-based/community-based care | 134 (67.0) |
Preventive care and opportunistic infection treatment | 167 (83.5) |
Peer group’s support | 134 (67.0) |
Methadone therapy for heroin users living with HIV | 64 (32.0) |
HIV stigma and discrimination
Variable (N = 200) | N(%) |
---|---|
Signs of discrimination | |
Avoidance: avoid touching, proximity, etc. | 192 (96.0) |
Denial: denied housing, job loss, etc. | 169 (84.5) |
Isolation: isolated area in hospitals, etc. | 178 (89.0) |
Gossip from the community | 179 (89.5) |
Loss of status within household and community | 155 (77.5) |
Loss of access to essential resources | 151 (75.5) |
Main causes of stigma against PLHIV | |
Lack of knowledge about HIV | 178 (89.0) |
Fear of HIV | 185 (92.5) |
Connection of HIV to “social evils” | 162 (81.0) |
How does stigma affect PLHIV? | |
Self-discrimination | 169 (84.5) |
Job loss or inability to find employment | 176 (88.0) |
Difficulties in accessing social support services | 177 (88.5) |
Hiding HIV status | 181 (90.5) |
How does stigma affect HIV patients’ family | |
Family members lose access to social support services | 156 (78.0) |
Family income is affected- limited employment | 170 (85.0) |
Family members also become victims of stigma | 178 (89.0) |
Relationships within the households are affected | 171 (85.5) |
How does stigma affect the community/society | |
Stigma increases HIV transmission risks | 157 (78.5) |
Wasting resources due to PLHIV don’t want to access intervention programs | 178 (89.0) |
Stigma destroys traditional values (sense of belonging) | 180 (90.0) |
Factors associated with attitudes towards HIV
Independent variables | Standardized regression coefficients (beta) | Index of model fit |
---|---|---|
Factors associated with general non-prejudicial attitude to HIV/AIDS
| ||
Knowledge of stigma and discrimination (KSD) | .186** | Adjusted R2 = .087 |
F-test = 6.969*** | ||
Training on methadone treatment (TMT) | .168* | |
Number of family members | -.170* | |
Factors associated with non-discriminatory attitude to HIV and AIDS at work
| ||
Knowledge of stigma and discrimination (KSD) | .188** | Adjusted R2 = .030 |
F-test = 7.247** |