1. Social environment and HIV risk among MSM in Hanoi and Thai Nguyen
- Author
-
Tran Viet Ha, Vivian F. Go, Chris Beyrer, Berry Mc, Mai Nv, Vu Minh Quan, Enisha Sarin, and Minh Nl
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Gerontology ,Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ,Health (social science) ,Urban Population ,Social Psychology ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Vietnamese ,Social Stigma ,Population ,HIV Infections ,Social Environment ,Social issues ,Article ,Men who have sex with men ,Interviews as Topic ,Young Adult ,Social support ,Risk-Taking ,Risk Factors ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Humans ,Homosexuality ,Homosexuality, Male ,education ,Socioeconomics ,Qualitative Research ,media_common ,education.field_of_study ,Unsafe Sex ,Communication ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,virus diseases ,Social environment ,language.human_language ,Sexual Partners ,Vietnam ,language ,Rural area ,Psychology - Abstract
Little is known about the effect of the social environment on HIV risk in gay men in northern Vietnam, particularly in rural areas. This qualitative research study conducted 4 key informant interviews and 30 in-depth interviews of men in two northern Vietnamese cities: Hanoi, a large city, and Thai Nguyen, a smaller town. Hanoi has experienced a growth in the number of places where gay men can socialize, access HIV prevention services, and discuss health issues. Thai Nguyen lacks these open venues. However, homosexuality is still highly stigmatized in the general population in both cities. This stigma affects the number of partners and level of sexual risk of participants. Also, men generally reported little communication between partners about sexual risk. While stigma in the general community is difficult to change, social environments where gay men can openly communicate creates an opportunity for HIV prevention and social support.
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF