HIV prevention partner counseling and testing in Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Hai Duong Northern provinces, Vietnam

Since 1997, Quang ninh, Hai phong and Hai duong have experienced major epidemic of HIV with 6000 HIV/AIDS reported cases as of December 2000 HIV prevalence among injection drug users (IDUs) as estimated by sentinel surveillance now exceeds 64% in Quang ninh province and appears to be increasing in other populations such as STD clinic patients, pregnant women and sex partners of HIV infected persons Female sex partners of HIV infected men have a high potential for HIV infection and are regarded as a high risk group. A cross-sectional study was conducted during August to November 2000 by interviewing and HIV testing 135 female sex partners of HIV positive men in three Northern Provinces in Vietnam. It aimed to study the willing participation in the HIV partner counseling and testing services, risk behavior and HIV prevalence among steady female sex partners of HIV positive men. The instruments used for data collection were structured questionnaire. The result revealed that the model of partner counseling and testing is feasible to implement in Northern Provinces in Vietnam. Female sex partners of HIV men who had Started to use drug since 1998 were more likely to be HIV infected than female sex partners of HIV men who had started to use drug before 1998. History of sexually transmitted diseases of female sex partners is associated with positive HIV status. Knowledge of basic information regarding HIV risks and prevention measures had no relationship to HIV status of female sex partners. It is recommended that the female sex partners of HIV positive men tested in recent years are at high risk of HIV infection. STD in women increases risk of transmission. Partner notification and promoting condom use are urgently needed to prevent transmission between sex partners. Intervention based on providing knowledge has less chance of success in heterosexual transmission.