Trends of HIV and syphilis infection among male who inject drug in Vietnam through HIV sentinel surveillance plus behaviors component, during 2017 - 2021

Abstract

HIV sentinel surveillance plus behavior component (HSS+) was collected every two years among males who inject drugs (PWID) to monitor the trend in HIV, syphylis prevalences and risk behaviors among male PWID. The results showed that HIV prevalence among PWID remained high at 14.2% in 2017, 13.0% in 2019, and 12.3% in 2021. The syphilis prevalence among PWID was quite low and did not change significantly by year with 1.5% (2017), 1.5% (2019) and 1.3% (2021). The proportion of sharing syringe and needle in the last month have decreased over the years, from 5.4% in 2017 to 1.7% in 2021. The proportions of using condoms in the last sex slightly increased, 44.0% in 2017, 45.8% in 2019, and 49.8% in 2021. The percentage of methadone maintenance treatment is reached 40%. The percentage of HIV testing in the past 12 months over by year is quite low, 50.7% in 2017, 38.6% in 2019, and 40.8% in 2021. Conclusion: HIV prevalence remained high, syphilis prevalance was low, but the trend of infections did not change statistically significant in the period 2017 - 2021. It is necessary to develop appropriate prevention strategies to control HIV, syphilis transmission among PWID.