AusAID Australian Development Research Award Grant
ADRA Gender: Meeting the needs of women who inject drugs in Vietnam
A collaborative investigation of the HIV-related risks, service needs and preferences of women who inject drugs in Vietnam has been funded through the Australian government’s Australian Development Research Award (ADRA), 2009 – 2011. (Photo source: UNAIDS)
Research Partners:
- Dr Khuat Thi Hai Oanh - Institute for Social Development Studies (ISDS) and Center for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI), Hanoi
- Ms Nguyen Nguyen Nhu Trang - Centre for Promotion of Quality of Life (Life Centre), Ho Chi Minh City
- Dr Martha Morrow, Ms Mia Urbano, Professor Nick Crofts - Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne
Background:
Injecting drug use (IDU) is linked to spread of HIV in Vietnam. While most IDUs are males, little is known about injecting history, patterns and risks among female IDUs (FIDUs). FIDUs are important as a potential ‘bridge’ population for HIV infection and transmission. There is some evidence they are more likely to share needles and – among those who sell sex – less likely to use condoms than non-injecting sex workers. FIDUs may face more stigma and be less likely to be reached by existing harm reduction programs. The study aims to document HIV infection and transmission risk among FIDUs and to identify practical models to meet their needs more effectively.
Study Design:
The study is mixed-method in phases, including: qualitative research (interviews and focus group discussions) with FIDUs, support groups, authorities, health programmers and experts; quantitative research (survey with women aged 18+ who injected at least once in previous 6 months); and Consensus Workshops (with stakeholders) to present emerging findings and generate concepts for appropriate service delivery models. It also established Project Advisory Groups (PAGs), comprising representatives from government and IDU support groups in each site.
The project convened Consensus Workshops in both Hanoi and HCMC in April-May 2011 and held further consultations with PAGs and support groups.
The project concludes in August 2011.
Links to Research Publications and Events
1. Research Brief #1, March 2011.
2. Presentation on ADRA research to International Conference on Realising the Rights to Health and Development for All, University of New South Wales Initiative for Health and Human Rights (IHHR) and Central Commission for Popularization and Education of The Communist Party of Vietnam, October 2009.
3. Research Brief #2, June 2011
4. Presentation, Intervention Models Workshop, Hanoi 23 June 2011
5. Intervention Models Workshop
6. FIDU Fact Sheet, 22 August 2011
7. Presentation at the 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, August 2011
9. Coverage of project in Viet Nam News, 17 November 2011
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Nossal Institute for Global Health,The University of Melbourne |
Center for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI) #11, Lane 378, Le Duan street, Hanoi, Vietnam T: +844 3572 0679 F: +844 3572 0689 E: oanhkhuat@scdi.org.vn |
Institute for Social Development Studies (ISDS) Suite 225; entry 11;block CT5; Song Da - My Dinh area; Pham Hung road; Ha Noi; Vietnam T: 84-4-3782-0058 F: 84-4-3782-0059 E: isdsvn@isds.org.vn W: www.isds.org.vn |
International Project Advisory Group
| Team Member Name |
Organisation |
|---|---|
| Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman |
President Malaysian AIDS Council, Member HAARP Advisory Board |
| Ms Marina Carman |
Program Director, AusAID HIV Consortium for Capacity Building in Asia-Pacific |
| Dr Suresh Kumar |
Indian Council of Medical Research |
| A/Prof Lisa Maher |
National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Sydney, Australia |
| Ms Pham Thi Huong |
CDC Atlanta/ Emory University |
| Ms Ruth Birgin |
Senior Program Manager, AIDS Projects Management Group, Sydney, Australia |
| Ms Zhang Xudong |
Accelerating AIDS Action in China Project, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (AAAC), Kunming, China. |