This literature review provides an overview of HIV/AIDS in Vietnam and represents the first part of a three-year research project. This review was conducted from December 2001 to April 2002.

According to this report, South-South East Asia contributes 15 of the 40 million people identified with HIV throughout the world. In Vietnam young people account for more than 50% of the HIV cases. The Vietnam government is targeting them as a top priority group in the HIV/AIDS prevention and control programme.

These are the objectives of the report:

• The development of HIV/AIDS in Vietnam including features unique to Vietnam.
• The meanings (stigma, fear and denial) attached to HIV/AIDS.
• Sexual practices and the inherent gender roles and relations of target audiences.
• Local institutional capacity to tackle the HIV/AIDS (with particular focus on the health and educational systems).
• National policies and communication practices informing and guiding HIV/AIDS prevention.
• A possible HIV/AIDS communication strategy.

Findings are broken into four parts:

Part 1. HIV/AIDS Epidemic In Vietnam including: HIV/AIDS development, HIV/AIDS divided by gender and age, transmission modes and meaning of HIV/AIDS to the community (stigma, denial, acceptance)

Part 2: Sexual Practice and HIV/AIDS Knowledge of Adolescents and Young Adults

Part 3: Institutional Capacity in Fighting HIV/AIDS

Part 4: The National Policies and Communication Practices Informing and Guiding HIV/AIDS Prevent in the Chosen Countries

The report ends with a number of recommendations. Research indicates that HIV/AIDS in Vietnam is still in an early stage and will develop quickly if more effective measures are not taken.

Click here to access this report in PDF format.

Consultation of Investment in Health Promotion.