A Concentrated Look at HIV/AIDS: Transmission to Low Risk Women Through Intravenous Drug Users and Female Sex Workers in Da Nang City, Vietnam

Authors

Danielle A. DePeau, SIT Study Abroad

Home Institution

Stonehill College

Publication Date

Fall 2008

Program Name

Viet Nam: Culture and Development

Abstract

Female sex workers (FSW) and intravenous drug users (IDU) whom were living in Da Nang City, Vietnam, along with the women and children associated with these individuals, were interviewed to study the effects of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). In addition, an understanding how the epidemic was spreading from high-risk populations to the general population was explored. This was achieved by learning the history of sexual behaviors in regards to sexual partners and regularity of condom use, as well as drug injection practices, HIV/AIDS education, treatment, gender status and socio-demographic characteristics.

Informal interviews were conducted over a three week period of time and data was compiled and joined with past research and general social trends. It was concluded that because women are often unable to have control over their own sex lives, they are forced into having unprotected sex, sometimes unknowingly, with members of the high risk groups or the bridge population. This, in turn, is helping to fuel transmission and it is this marginalization of women in conjunction with other factors that is preventing the Vietnamese government from controlling the rapidly expanding epidemic.

Disciplines

Epidemiology | Public Health

Recommended Citation

DePeau, Danielle A., "A Concentrated Look at HIV/AIDS: Transmission to Low Risk Women Through Intravenous Drug Users and Female Sex Workers in Da Nang City, Vietnam" (2008). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 594.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/594