Vietnam (2005): HIV/AIDS TRaC Study among Injecting Drug Users in Mong Cai, Uong Bi, and Thai Nguyen City First Round

Tracking surveys serve as tools to inform programming by routinely collecting data from cross-sections of populations at risk for HIV/AIDS and other adverse health outcomes. This survey among injecting drug users (IDUs) aimed to: 1) identify and describe segments of the population in terms of needle sharing in the three months prior to the survey; 2) understand the needle sharing behaviors of IDUs; 3) explore the sexual behaviors and condom use of IDUs; and 4) apply study findings to interventions designed for reducing the risk of HIV transmission among IDUs. Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) was used to recruit 417 male IDUs aged 15 to 45 who live in Uong Bi and Mong Cai towns in Quang Ninh province and Thai Nguyen City in Thai Nguyen province. A screening questionnaire and main questionnaire were the survey instruments. The questionnaire collected information on socio-demographic characteristics, drug use and needle sharing behaviors, opinions about needle-sharing practices, beliefs and knowledge about HIV infection, sexual activity and condom use, and exposure to harm reduction and VCT services. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify significant factors associated with needle sharing and condom use. Simple frequencies and means were run on descriptive data to permit monitoring of project indicators.