Nga Thi Thu Vu1, Martin Holt2, Huong Thi Thu Phan3, Huong Thi Le4, Lan Thi La5, Gioi Minh Tran6, Tung Thanh Doan6, Trang Nhu Nguyen Nguyen7, John de Wit8. 1. Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Australia, Sydney 2032, NSW, Australia; Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, No. 1 Ton That Tung Street, HaNoi, Vietnam. Electronic address: nga.vu@student.unsw.edu.au. 2. Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Australia, Sydney 2032, NSW, Australia. 3. Vietnam Administration for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health, 135/3 Nui Truc Street, Hanoi, Vietnam. 4. Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, No. 1 Ton That Tung Street, HaNoi, Vietnam. 5. Hanoi Centre of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Khu Hanh Chinh Moi, Ha Dong, Hanoi, Vietnam. 6. Center for Community Health Promotion, Suite 117-120, Block B17, Kim Lien Diplomatic Compound, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam. 7. Centre for Promotion of Quality of Life, 140, Street No. 7, Trung Son Area, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 8. Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Australia, Sydney 2032, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: j.dewit@unsw.edu.au.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Amphetamine-type-stimulants (ATS) use is associated with HIV-related sexual risk behaviours and is an emergent problem among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vietnam. The purpose of this study is to describe ATS use patterns and understand the correlates of recent methamphetamine use from a socio-ecological perspective. METHODS: From September through December, 2014, 622 MSM were recruited in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. We collected information on demographic characteristics, HIV testing behaviours, use of ATS and other recreational drugs (ever and recently), sexual sensation seeking, depressive mood, experienced and internalized stigma related to homosexuality, social involvement with other MSM, and perceptions of ATS use in MSM networks. We performed descriptive statistics to describe ATS use patterns and multivariate logistic regression to establish independent correlates of recent methamphetamine use. RESULTS: Nearly one-third (30.4%) had ever used ATS, including 23.6% who had used methamphetamine, 4.3% who had used amphetamine ('speed') and 20.9% who had used ecstasy. 20.1% and 11.9% had ever used methamphetamine and ecstasy, respectively, during sex. Eighteen percent of methamphetamine users were classified as engaged in high-risk use. Recent methamphetamine use (in the last 3 months) was associated with participants perceiving more methamphetamine use in their MSM network, recent sex work, and higher sexual sensation seeking scores. CONCLUSIONS: ATS use is relatively prevalent among MSM sampled in Vietnam's main cities. Interventions to address methamphetamine are warranted for MSM in Vietnam. Methamphetamine treatments are needed for high-risk users.
INTRODUCTION:Amphetamine-type-stimulants (ATS) use is associated with HIV-related sexual risk behaviours and is an emergent problem among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vietnam. The purpose of this study is to describe ATS use patterns and understand the correlates of recent methamphetamine use from a socio-ecological perspective. METHODS: From September through December, 2014, 622 MSM were recruited in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. We collected information on demographic characteristics, HIV testing behaviours, use of ATS and other recreational drugs (ever and recently), sexual sensation seeking, depressive mood, experienced and internalized stigma related to homosexuality, social involvement with other MSM, and perceptions of ATS use in MSM networks. We performed descriptive statistics to describe ATS use patterns and multivariate logistic regression to establish independent correlates of recent methamphetamine use. RESULTS: Nearly one-third (30.4%) had ever used ATS, including 23.6% who had used methamphetamine, 4.3% who had used amphetamine ('speed') and 20.9% who had used ecstasy. 20.1% and 11.9% had ever used methamphetamine and ecstasy, respectively, during sex. Eighteen percent of methamphetamine users were classified as engaged in high-risk use. Recent methamphetamine use (in the last 3 months) was associated with participants perceiving more methamphetamine use in their MSM network, recent sex work, and higher sexual sensation seeking scores. CONCLUSIONS:ATS use is relatively prevalent among MSM sampled in Vietnam's main cities. Interventions to address methamphetamine are warranted for MSM in Vietnam. Methamphetamine treatments are needed for high-risk users.
Authors: Nga Thi Thu Vu; Martin Holt; Huong Thi Thu Phan; Lan Thi La; Gioi Minh Tran; Tung Thanh Doan; John de Wit Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2016-12-19
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