PMID- 32093700 OWN - NLM STAT- MEDLINE DCOM- 20210706 LR - 20210706 IS - 1477-7517 (Electronic) IS - 1477-7517 (Linking) VI - 17 IP - 1 DP - 2020 Feb 24 TI - Exposure to HIV risks among young people who use drugs (YPUD) in three cities in Vietnam: time to develop targeted interventions. PG - 13 LID - 10.1186/s12954-020-00357-4 [doi] LID - 13 AB - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to identify the profiles of young people who use drugs (YPUD) and their exposure to HIV risks in the 3 main cities of Vietnam, Haiphong, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), in order to design a community-based intervention to prevent HIV. METHODS: A survey using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was conducted among YPUD aged 16-24. Participants were eligible if they reported drug use, confirmed by a urine test. After obtaining informed consent, they were screened for HIV/HCV and assessed using face-to-face questionnaires and self-report. A cluster analysis was conducted, taking into account risk behaviors and confirmed HIV-positive status. RESULTS: Seven hundred and three YPUD aged 16-24 were recruited between October 2016 and February 2017, 584 of whom were included in the final analysis. Median age was 21 (17.7, 23.0); 79% were male, 18% female, and 2% transgender. Methamphetamines use was reported by 77%, followed by cannabis (51%) and heroin (17%); polydrug use was common; 15% had "ever" injected drugs. HIV prevalence was 7%. Among all participants, 48% reported non-consistent condom use and 1% reported needle/syringe sharing during the previous month. Four distinct profiles of HIV risk behaviors were identified: The high multiple-risk group mixed unsafe drug use with unsafe sexual practices and had higher prevalence of HIV; the second group practiced high-risk sex with non-consistent condom combined with methamphetamine use; the third group was a moderate-risk group with limited unsafe sexual practices; and the fourth was considered at "low-risk" as reportedly, most never had sex and never injected. The highest risk group included more female YPUD, living in HCMC, who used heroin and had unsafe sex with their regular partners. The second high-risk group included most of the MSM and all transgender people and frequently reported mental health disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The profiles of YPUD who are at risk of HIV vary according to age, location, and population group. Injecting YPUD are the most exposed to risk and need immediate attention. Sexual exposure to HIV is very common. Mental health is a major concern. Interventions need to be integrated in a differentiated but holistic approach. FAU - Michel, Laurent AU - Michel L AUID- ORCID: 0000-0002-2000-7838 AD - CESP/Inserm 1018, Centre Pierre Nicole, French Red Cross, Paris, France. FAU - Nguyen, Linh T AU - Nguyen LT AD - Supporting Community Development Initiative, 240 Mai Anh Tuan Street, Thanh Cong Ward, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi, Vietnam. FAU - Nguyen, An K AU - Nguyen AK AD - Supporting Community Development Initiative, 240 Mai Anh Tuan Street, Thanh Cong Ward, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi, Vietnam. FAU - Ekwaru, John P AU - Ekwaru JP AD - School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. FAU - Laureillard, Didier AU - Laureillard D AD - Infectious Diseases Department, Caremeau University Hospital, Nimes, France. FAU - Nagot, Nicolas AU - Nagot N AD - Pathogenesis and control of chronic infections, Inserm, Etablissement Francais du Sang, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France. FAU - Phan, Olivier AU - Phan O AD - School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. FAU - Khuat, Oanh T H AU - Khuat OTH AD - Supporting Community Development Initiative, 240 Mai Anh Tuan Street, Thanh Cong Ward, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi, Vietnam. oanhkhuat@scdi.org.vn. LA - eng PT - Journal Article PT - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't DEP - 20200224 PL - England TA - Harm Reduct J JT - Harm reduction journal JID - 101153624 SB - IM MH - Adolescent MH - Adult MH - Cluster Analysis MH - Comorbidity MH - Female MH - HIV Infections/*epidemiology/*prevention & control MH - Humans MH - Male MH - Needle Sharing/*statistics & numerical data MH - Risk-Taking MH - Substance-Related Disorders/*epidemiology MH - Unsafe Sex/*statistics & numerical data MH - Urban Population/statistics & numerical data MH - Vietnam/epidemiology MH - Young Adult PMC - PMC7038548 OTO - NOTNLM OT - Drug use OT - HIV OT - Mental health OT - Methamphetamines OT - Sexual risk OT - Young people COIS- The authors declare that they have no competing interests. EDAT- 2020/02/26 06:00 MHDA- 2021/07/07 06:00 PMCR- 2020/02/24 CRDT- 2020/02/26 06:00 PHST- 2019/09/05 00:00 [received] PHST- 2020/02/11 00:00 [accepted] PHST- 2020/02/26 06:00 [entrez] PHST- 2020/02/26 06:00 [pubmed] PHST- 2021/07/07 06:00 [medline] PHST- 2020/02/24 00:00 [pmc-release] AID - 10.1186/s12954-020-00357-4 [pii] AID - 357 [pii] AID - 10.1186/s12954-020-00357-4 [doi] PST - epublish SO - Harm Reduct J. 2020 Feb 24;17(1):13. doi: 10.1186/s12954-020-00357-4.