Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy*, Vo Thi Tuyet Nhung*, Pham Cong
Dung**, Le Cong Minh**,
Tran Ngoc Huu**, Nguyen Hoc Hai**, Dang Van Khoat***,
Tran Thi Kim Phuong*, Ha Ba Khiem*, Chung A***.
* Pasteur Institute in
**
*** National AIDS
This study aimed to evaluate prevention intervention activity based on group-level education on HIV/AIDS, in target groups identified as risk groups of HIV infection, in 5 communes of Long An province during 1997. This theory-based intervention was conducted by 48 Community Health Collaborators (CHC, non-peer educators) and consisted of instruction and discussion on HIV/AIDS prevention including risk reduction with help of communication means such as posters, brochures and pamphlets. Two 30-cluster and randomized surveys on KABP (Knowledge, Attitude, Belief, Practice) related to HIV/AIDS were carried out among 840 subjects of 15-49 years old, before and after implementing the interventions in order to evaluate their effects. The univariate analysis was realized to determine the changes of the study variables including risk behaviors. Following the interventions, the study community had significantly better improvement in knowledge on transmission modes of HIV/AIDS (from 90% to 96%), in belief on role of condom in Sexually Transmitted Diseases prevention (from 63.4% to 73.4%). Effects on behavior change were found with the significant increased level of use of disposable or sterilized instruments in skin piercing maneuvers (from 36.3% to 66.5%). An insignificant raise in condom use among subjects having more than 1 sexual partner in last year (from 50% to 73.6%) and an insignificant reduction in drug injection among drug users need to be further studied. These activities should be improved by better selection and mobilization of CHC, more support on skill training, education techniques and funding. Evaluation on community behavior change needs to be conducted with a longer follow-up period of the interventions.