AIDS 2002
      News & Abstracts: Abstract


            Code :TuPeD4997

            Title :Is there any effectiveness after 2-year peer-based 
            intervention for HIV prevention among female sex workers in Southern 
            Vietnam?

            Authors :V T Nguyen1, P H Tran1, H P Truong2, T T T Nguyen3, N A 
            Le4, P A Nguyen2, X L Truong1, T T N Vo1, B K Ha1

            Abstract:



            Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of the 2-year intervention 
            of an on going 3-year peer-based project for HIV prevention among 
            female sex workers (FSWs) in Soctrang, Vietnam since the beginning 
            of the year 2000. 


            Methods: Intervention activities (information, education, 
            communication, counseling and condom distribution as well as 
            referral of FSWs to STD clinics for free diagnosis and treatment) 
            are mainly done by well trained peer educators. Two investigations 
            (cross sectional studies) among FSWs [less than or equal to 25yrs, 
            including direct sex workers (DSWs: on streets, in brothels and 
            small drink shops) and indirect sex workers (ISWs: in massage 
            parlors, karaoke lounges, restaurants and hotels] in Soctrang were 
            done in the year 2000 (n=250) and the year 2001 (n=400), using an 
            interview schedule, gynecological examination and serological tests 
            for syphilis (RPR+TPHA) and HIV (Serodia+2ELISA). Chi-square was 
            used to test for the significant changes after 2-year intervention.


            Results: The rates of consistent condom use with regular 
            partners/lovers among ISWs (18.8% up to 66.7%) and with clients 
            among DSWs (40% up to 67.8%) and ISWs (24.6% up to 75.3%) were 
            significantly upward. A significant decline of genital discharge and 
            genital inflammation was found among FSWs. Syphilis tended to 
            decrease (DSWs: 6.7% down to 2.8%; ISWs: 1.1% down to 0.5%) and the 
            prevalence of HIV seemed to be unchanged among DSWs (4.0% vs 4.2%) 
            and increasing among ISWs (0.6% up to 1.1%) but these changes were 
            not significant . The trends of the results were almost similar when 
            mobile population of FSWs was removed from the analysis. 
            Conclusions: The project has been initially obtaining optimistic 
            results in the prevention of HIV among FSWs and the local government 
            advocacy plays a very important role for a successful peer-based 
            intervention.





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