FC & FC2 Female Condom
Country Profile:
V I E T N A M
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In March 2000, a pilot study was carried out to assess the need and acceptability of female condoms in Vietnam. The main objective of the study was to explore the attitude of selected groups of women towards female condoms.
Study: The Female Condom in Vietnam
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Female condom use in Vietnam
Summarised from the report Needs and Acceptability of Female Condoms among Women in Thanh Xuan Commune and Dong Da District, Hanoi, UNAIDS, STI/HIV/AIDS Prevention Centre ( SHAPC), WHO. Hanoi, August 2000
The number of people infected with HIV/AIDS has increased in Vietnam. The epidemic is now spreading in all 61 provinces of the country.
AIDS has become one of the leading causes of death among women in developing countries. Women at every age have a higher risk of being infected with HIV than men, mainly through sexual intercourse. STIs have increased the infection rate among women. Gender inequality exists in Vietnam. In sexual and intimate relations, women are expected to be passive and to obey their husband or lover. Therefore, it is difficult for them to persuade their partners to use male condoms to prevent pregnancy and HIV infection or other STIs.
The increase in sex workers has also contributed to the spread of infections. Due to poor knowledge and low awareness, many men do not use condoms when having sex with sex workers. Others believe that sex workers from rural areas and pregnant women cannot be infected with STIs.Sex workers cannot always persuade their clients to use condoms.
In such circumstances, female condoms can be an effective alternative to help women be active in the prevention of pregnancy and STIs, including HIV/AIDS. In Vietnam, the first female condoms appear to have been introduced in 1995-6 but there had not been any studies carried out to evaluate the need and acceptability of female condoms for Vietnamese men and women.
Study on the need and the acceptability of female condoms
This study is the initiative of UNAIDS and WHO. In accordance with UNAIDS and WHO policies to strengthen the involvement of private research groups, the STI/HIV/AIDS Prevention Centre ( SHAPC) received financial and technical support to carry out the pilot study on the need and acceptability of female condoms in Vietnam.
The main purpose of the study is to explore the attitude of selected groups of women towards female condoms. Specifically, it attempts to understand the need and acceptability of these condoms on the part of women that have contracted STIs. The study was carried out in Thanh Xuan ward, Thanh Xuan District, where there is reportedly a high density of sex workers. It was also conducted in other wards of Dong Da District, Ha Noi, which has many restaurants, hotels, massage parlours and bars. Many of these are involved in the ‘sex trade’. In Dong Da District, there are also many private clinics that provide treatment and consultation for STI patients.
The study began in March 2000 and was completed in June 2000.
SHAPC is the implementing agency. It is an NGO established in the country since 1997. All staff members are medical professionals, including professors, doctors and teachers who work as volunteers in HIV/AIDS and STIs prevention . All of them have experience in such fields as research, motivational training, counselling, communication education on STIs/HIV/AIDS, reproductive health and family planning.
The team of interviewers consisted of 22 women. Five staff from SHAPC were selected as supervisors, all experienced in research. The interviewers of women in the community were chosen from family planning motivators. Five peer-educators from among the female sex workers’ peer-team interviewed the sex workers. Medical professionals interviewed STI patients.
ORGANISATIONS with PROGRAMS IN VIETNAM
Ministry of Health
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UNAIDS in Viet Nam
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http://www.unaids.org/EN/geographical+area/by+country/viet+nam.asp
World Health Orgaization (WHO) in Vietnam
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
STI/HIV/AIDS Prevention Centre (SHAPC)
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