Binh Duong increases HIV infection in MSM group

Dr. Vuong The Linh communicates HIV/AIDS prevention to workers in an industrial park.

Dr. Vuong The Linh, Head of the HIV/AIDS Department, Binh Duong Province Center for Disease Control, said that the number of new HIV infections in the province is increasing. In 2022 alone, there were 835 new infections, an increase of 25% compared to 2021. In previous years, HIV transmission was mainly through drug injection or prostitution, but in the past 6-7 years, HIV transmission has been mainly through sexual intercourse (QHTD) with men who have sex with men (MSM). If in 2014, HIV infection in the MSM group accounted for only about 6%, from 2019 it increased to 50%, the highest in 2021 with a rate of 80%; by June 2023 it was 67%. According to Dr. Cao Kim Thoa, Deputy Head of the HIV Infection Prevention Department, Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, male-male sex has a higher risk of HIV transmission because they are not afraid of pregnancy, so they do not use safety measures, and their genitals are more easily scratched. Men who have sex often have many sexual partners, so the risk of 1 MSM transmitting HIV to many people is higher.

Dr. Vuong The Linh said that in the past 6 months, the provincial CDC has organized 25 small group communication sessions at workers' dormitories and industrial parks. Each communication session lasts about 90 minutes with groups of 20-30 people, integrating standard knowledge on HIV prevention and control, and providing testing reagents for workers. The provincial CDC also organized a talk with key officials of the industrial park so that they can realize the importance of HIV prevention and control at their own companies for implementation. These units will accompany the CDC in providing services on Pref preventive treatment and ARV treatment.

One of the current difficulties is to encourage MSM clients to use Pref because they think they have less sex while the drug has to be used for a whole month. Besides, it is difficult to refer male sex workers to the ARV treatment program. Doctor Vuong The Linh said that in the coming time, the province will study and learn new case finding strategies in other localities, and promote outreach to MSM under 18 years old.

QUYNH HOA

Source: http://www.baovanhoa.vn/%C4%91oi-song/y-te/artmid/585/articleid/68069/binh-duong-gia-tang-nguoi-nhiem-hiv-o-nhom-msm