International Journal of STD and AIDS
Background: HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have disproportionately affected communities of men who have sex with men (MSM). We describe HIV and STI prevalence and testing patterns among urban Vietnamese MSM. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional community-based study of MSM in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2016. Participants selfreported experiences of social stigma in healthcare settings and previous HIV and STI testing. STI testing included HIV, herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Results: 205 MSM participated in the study. STI prevalence was HIV (10%), HSV-2 (4%), syphilis (13%), gonorrhea (34%), and chlamydia (19%). More than half (55%) of participants tested positive for at least one STI. Most participants had been previously tested for HIV or another STI (72%), with 24% previously receiving a positive result. Perceived and enacted social stigma in healthcare contexts was negatively associated with previous HIV or STI testing (adjusted prevalence odds ratio (aPOR): 0.22; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.10–0.48). Discussion: High prevalence of STIs was observed among Vietnamese MSM, and perceived and enacted stigma was related to HIV and STI testing. Our findings reaffirm the importance of regular STI screening among this population as well as additional outreach to promote safe HIV and STI healthcare engagement.
Ha V Tran, MSc MD Ha T T Nong, PhD Thuy T T Tran, PhD Teresa R Filipowicz, MPH Kelsey R Landrum, MPH Brian W Pence, PhD Giang M Le, PhD; Minh X Nguyen, PhD Dixon Chibanda, PhD Ruth Verhey, PhD Vivian F Go, PhD Hien T Ho, PhD Bradley N Gaynes
JMR Formative Research
Friendship Bench, Vietnam, Assessment-Decision-Adaptation-Production-Topical Experts-Integration-Training-Testing, ADAPT-ITT, common mental disorders, people living with HIV, PWH, people who inject drugs, PWID, methadone maintenance treatment, MMT, depression, anxiet
Background: The prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) among people living with HIV and people who inject drugs
is high worldwide and in Vietnam. However, few evidence-informed CMD programs for people living with HIV who inject drugs
have been adapted for use in Vietnam. We adapted the Friendship Bench (FB), a problem-solving therapy (PST)–based program
that was successfully implemented among patients with CMDs in primary health settings in Zimbabwe and Malawi for use among
people living with HIV on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) with CMDs in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Objective: This study aimed to describe the adaptation process with a detailed presentation of 4 phases from the third (adaptation)
to the sixth (integration) of the Assessment-Decision-Adaptation-Production-Topical Experts-Integration-Training-Testing
(ADAPT-ITT) framework.
Methods: The adaptation phase followed a qualitative study design to explore symptoms of CMDs, facilitators, and barriers to
conducting FB for people living with HIV on MMT in Vietnam, and patient, provider, and caretaker concerns about FB. In the
production phase, we revised the original program manual and developed illustrated PST cases. In the topical expert and integration
phases, 2 investigators (BNG and BWP) and 3 subject matter experts (RV, DC, and GML) reviewed the manual, with reviewer
comments incorporated in the final, revised manual to be used in the training. The draft program will be used in the training and
testing phases.
Results: The study was methodologically aligned with the ADAPT-ITT goals as we chose a proven, effective program for
adaptation. Insights from the adaptation phase addressed the who, where, when, and how of FB program implementation in the
https://formative.jmir.org/2022/7/e37211 JMIR Form Res 2022 | vol. 6 | iss. 7 | e37211 | p. 1
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JMIR FORMATIVE RESEARCH Tran et al
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MMT clinics. The ADAPT-ITT framework guided the appropriate adaptation of the program manual while maintaining the core
components of the PST of the original program throughout counseling techniques in all program sessions. The deliverable of this
study was an adapted FB manual to be used for training and piloting to make a final program manual.
Conclusions: This study successfully illustrated the process of operationalizing the ADAPT-ITT framework to adapt a mental
health program in Vietnam. This study selected and culturally adapted an evidence-informed PST program to improve CMDs
among people living with HIV on MMT in Vietnam. This adapted program has the potential to effectively address CMDs among
people living with HIV on MMT in Vietnam
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