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HIV self-testing (HIVST) is an effective approach to increase testing uptake. While oral fluid-based HIVST has been rapidly scaled, use of blood-based HIVST remains limited. We evaluated the acceptability, feasibility, and accuracy of blood-based HIVST among lay users in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. We conducted a cross-sectional study among HIV testing clients at the HCMC Pasteur Institute from March 2019 to October 2020. Participants received one HIVST kit and performed the test in front of an observer. The observer used product-specific questionnaires to collect information on the HIVST process, test results, experiences. The participants' interpretations of HIVST results were compared to health staff's interpretations and gold standard laboratory EIA reference tests. Of 2,399 participants who accepted HIVST, 64.7% were men, 62.1% aged 25-49 years, 53.5% had a higher education level, 41.4% were employed, and 35.6% were first-time testers. The vast majority (94.4%) desired to use the test in the future, and 93.9% reported willingness to recommend the test. The majority (90.8%) of participants successfully completed the self-test. One factor associated with successful completion was higher education level (aOR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.32-2.61); while participants self-testing with SURE CHECK (aOR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.12-0.37), INSTI (aOR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.13-0.39), and BioSURE (aOR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.17-0.51) or being unemployed, retired, or doing housework (aOR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.25-0.82) were less likely to perform the test successfully. Agreement of positive and negative HIVST results as interpreted by participants and health staff was high (98.1% and 99.9%, respectively). Sensitivity and specificity of the evaluated HIVST were 96.43% (95% CI: 93.62-99.23) and 99.9% (95% CI: 99.75-100), respectively. Our findings confirm that blood-based HIVST is highly acceptable, feasible, and accurate. This evidence informs scale-up of HIVST to increase uptake of essential HIV prevention and treatment services.

Objective To assess human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage after demonstration projects conducted in India, Peru, Uganda and Viet Nam by PATH and national governments and to explore the reasons for vaccine acceptance or refusal. Methods Vaccines were delivered through schools or health centres or in combination with other health interventions, and either monthly or through campaigns at fixed time points. Using a two-stage cluster sample design, the authors selected households in demonstration project areas and interviewed over 7000 parents or guardians of adolescent girls to assess coverage and acceptability. They defined full vaccination as the receipt of all three vaccine doses and used an open-ended question to explore acceptability. Findings Vaccination coverage in school-based programmes was 82.6% (95% confidence interval, CI: 79.3-85.6) in Peru, 88.9% (95% CI: 84.7-92.4) in 2009 in Uganda and 96.1% (95% CI: 93.0-97.8) in 2009 in Viet Nam. In India, a campaign approach achieved 77.2% (95% CI: 72.4-81.6) to 87.8% (95% CI: 84.3-91.3) coverage, whereas monthly delivery achieved 68.4% (95% CI: 63.4-73.4) to 83.3% (95% CI: 79.3-87.3) coverage. More than two thirds of respondents gave as reasons for accepting the HPV vaccine that: (i) it protects against cervical cancer; (ii) it prevents disease, or (iii) vaccines are good. Refusal was more often driven by programmatic considerations (e.g. school absenteeism) than by opposition to the vaccine. Conclusion High coverage with HPV vaccine among young adolescent girls was achieved through various delivery strategies in the developing countries studied. Reinforcing positive motivators for vaccine acceptance is likely to facilitate uptake. Objectif Evaluer la couverture vaccinale anti-papillomavirus humain (VPH) suite a des projets pilotes menes en Inde, au Perou, en Ouganda et au Viet Nam par le PATH et par les gouvernements nationaux, et etudier les raisons de l'acceptation ou du refus de la vaccination. Methodes Les vaccins etaient delivres par des ecoles ou des centres de soins ou conjointement a d'autres interventions sanitaires, et de facon mensuelle ou par des campagnes ponctuelles. En utilisant un echantillonnage en grappes a deux etapes, les auteurs ont selectionne des menages dans des zones de projet pilote et ont interroge plus de 7 000 parents ou tuteurs d'adolescentes afin d'evaluer la couverture et l'acceptabilite du vaccin. Ils ont defini la vaccination complete comme etant la prise de l'ensemble des trois doses vaccinales et ont eu recours a des questions ouvertes pour etudier l'acceptabilite. Resultats La couverture vaccinale, pour les programmes en milieu scolaire, etait de 82,6% (intervalle de confiance de 95%, IC: 79,3-85,6) au Perou, de 88,9% (IC de 95%: 84,7-92,4) en 2009 en Ouganda et de 96,1% (IC de 95%: 93.0-97,8) en 2009 au Viet Nam. En Inde, une approche de type campagne a permis de realiser une couverture allant de 77,2% (IC de 95%: 72,4-81,6) a 87,8% (IC de 95%: 84,3-91,3), alors que la delivrance mensuelle a permis de realiser une couverture allant de 68,4% (IC de 95%: 63,4-73,4) a 83,3% (IC de 95%: 79,3-87,3). Plus des deux tiers des personnes interrogees ont justifie l'acceptation du vaccin VPH pour les raisons suivantes: (i) il protege contre le cancer du col de l'uterus; (ii) il empeche la maladie, ou (iii) les vaccins sont bons. Le refus etait plus souvent justifie par des considerations liees au programme (par ex. l'absenteisme scolaire) que par une opposition au vaccin. Conclusion Une couverture elevee du vaccin VPH parmi les jeunes filles a ete obtenue par differentes strategies de delivrance dans les pays en voie de developpement a l'etude. Le renforcement des elements de motivation positifs pour l'acceptation du vaccin est susceptible d'en faciliter la prise. Objetivo Evaluar la cobertura de la vacunacion del virus del papiloma humano (VPH) despues de los proyectos de demostracion Ilevados a cabo por PATH y los gobiernos nacionales en la India, Peru, Uganda y Vietnam, asi como examinar las razones de aceptacion o rechazo de la vacuna. Metodos Las vacunas se suministraron en colegios o centros de salud, o en combinacion con otras intervenciones sanitarias, mensualmente o por medio de campanas realizadas en momentos especificos. Mediante el uso de un diseno de muestreo por conglomerados de dos fases, los autores seleccionaron hogares en areas del proyecto de demostracion y entrevistaron a mas de 7000 padres o tutores de ninas adolescentes para evaluar su cobertura y aceptabilidad. Definieron la vacunacion completa como el momento en el que se habian recibido las tres dosis de vacuna y utilizaron una pregunta de interpretacion abierta para examinar la aceptabilidad. Resultados La cobertura de la vacunacion en programas realizados en colegios fue del 82,6% (Intervalo de confianza del 95%, IC: 79,3-85,6) en Peru, 88,9% (IC del 95%: 84,7-92,4) en Uganda, en el ano 2009, y del 96,1% (IC del 95%: 93,0-97,8) en Vietnam, tambien en el ano 2009. En la India, un enfoque de campana consiguio del 77,2% (IC del 95%: 72,4-81,6) al 87,8% (95% IC: 84,3-91,3) de cobertura, mientras que el suministro mensual consiguio una cobertura del 68,4% (IC del 95%: 63,4-73,4) al 83,3% (95% IC: 79,3-87,3). Mas de dos tercios de los participantes indicaron como razones para la aceptacion de la vacuna dei VPH que: (i) protege del cancer de cuello de utero; (ii) previene la enfermedad o (iii) las vacunas son buenas. El rechazo fue mas habitual en base a consideraciones programaticas (p. ej., absentismo escolar) que por el rechazo a la vacuna. Conclusion Con la vacuna del VPH se consiguio una alta cobertura entre chicas adolescentes jovenes mediante diversas estrategias de su ministro en los paises en desarrollo estudiados. Es probable que el refuerzo de las motivaciones positivas para la aceptacion de facilite su aceptacion., Introduction The global burden of cervical cancer is large and is increasing and it disproportionately affects low-resource countries. (1) In 2008 there were approximately 529 000 new cases and over [...]

Objective To report on the use of lot quality-assurance sampling (LQAS) surveys undertaken within an area-sampling framework to identify priority areas for intervention with trachoma control activities in Viet Nam. Methods The LQAS survey method for the rapid assessment of the prevalence of active trachoma was adapted for use in Viet Nam with the aim of classifying individual communes by the prevalence of active trachoma among children in primary school. School-based sampling was used; school sites to be sampled were selected using an area-sampling approach. A total of 719 communes in 41 districts in 18 provinces were surveyed. Findings Survey staff found the LQAS survey method both simple and rapid to use after initial problems with area-sampling methods were identified and remedied. The method yielded a finer spatial resolution of prevalence than had been previously achieved in Viet Nam using semiquantitative rapid assessment surveys and multistage cluster-sampled surveys. Conclusion When used with area-sampling techniques, the LQAS survey method has the potential to form the basis of survey instruments that can be used to efficiently target resources for interventions against active trachoma. With additional work, such methods could provide a generally applicable tool for effective programme planning and for the certification of the elimination of trachoma as a blinding disease. Keywords Trachoma/epidemiology/prevention and control; Health surveys; Data collection/methods; Cross-sectional studies; Sampling studies; Schools; Child; Viet Nam (source: MeSH, NLM). Mots cles Trachome/epidemiologie/prevention et controle; Enquete sante; Collecte donnees/methodes; Etude section efficace; Etude echantillon; Etablissement scolaire; Enfant; Viet Nam (source: MeSH, INSERM). Palabras clave Tracoma/epidemiologia/prevencion y control; Recoleccion de datos/metodos; Encuestas epidemiologicas; Estudios transversales; Muestreo; Escuelas; Nino; Viet Nam (fuente: DeCS, BIREME). [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII.], Resume Identification des zones prioritaires pour la lutte contre le trachome au Viet Nam par des methodes de sondage areolaire et d'echantillonnage par lots pour l'assurance de la qualite Objectif [...]

Social norms surrounding sex and relationships remain gendered among young people in Vietnam, with men maintaining a privileged role in heterosexual relationships. This analysis explored how university students in Vietnam perceived prevailing gender norms, and how these norms influenced men's understanding of sexual consent in dating relationships. This analysis drew primarily on in-depth interviews with heterosexual men and secondarily from interviews with women attending two universities in Hanoi in 2018. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed a broader narrative about how prevailing gender norms shape men's dating behaviour and beliefs about consent. Participants expected young men to be independent and decisive. Men were seen as free to initiate dating and sexual encounters. Some participants expected young women to be accommodating in dating relationships, although acceptable relationships for women were restricted, and premarital sex was a reputational risk. Most participants described cues for consent and non-consent for sex; however, dismissal of women's refusals, and normalised sexual coercion were common. Among university men in Hanoi, gender norms privileging men and growing expectations of premarital sex may be normalising sexual coercion in dating relationships. University educational programmes are needed to promote equitable gender norms, affirmative sexual consent and expanded definitions of sexual coercion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the survey responses of 522 married men (eighteen to fifty-one years) in Vietnam, we explored how gendered social learning in boyhood and challenges to men’s expected status in marriage may increase the risk that men perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV) against their wives. Over one-third (36.6 percent) of the participants reported having ever perpetrated psychological, physical, or sexual IPV against their current wife. Accounting for other characteristics of men in the sample, witnessing IPV as a boy, being physically maltreated as a boy, and being the same age or younger than one’s wife were associated with almost two to three times higher odds of perpetrating any IPV. Men with thirteen to eighteen completed grades of schooling had about half the adjusted odds of ever perpetrating any IPV than men with twelve or fewer completed grades (aOR = 0.56). The determinants of men’s perpetration of physical IPV and psychological IPV were, largely, similar. Programs to prevent men’s perpetration of IPV should address the parenting practices of boys that legitimize men’s aggression and gendered status expectations in marriage, which when challenged, may lead husbands to respond with violence. Engaging men to endorse nonviolent masculinities is an important consideration for future intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]