Peer-based Education and the Integration of HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for Young People in Vietnam: Evidence from a Project Evaluation

Introduction

Access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support are some of the key targets of the Millennium Development Goals [1]. There has been growing discussion about the potential multiple benefits of linkages between SRH and HIV programs in accelerating the achievements of universal access to SRH services and sustainable interventions for HIV. Since the majority of HIV infections are sexually transmitted or are associated with pregnancy and childbirth [2], then linking HIV and SRH services can prevent risky behaviors that result in HIV infection and adverse reproductive health outcomes (e.g., unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion) [3]. Research, worldwide, has documented that integration of HIV testing into SRH services can produce beneficial effects on a number of HIV-related health and behavioral outcomes: reducing HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) incidence, increasing use of condoms and contraceptives, improving coverage and uptake of HIV services including HIV testing, enhancing service quality, and strengthening knowledge of HIV and STIs. Because it reduces the stigma and discrimination associated with attending HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) exclusive services, the integration of services has promoted access to, and uptake of HIV testing (3–5). Service integration also removes redundancies in vertical programs and is able to meet clients’ multiple needs, thus optimizing program effectiveness and efficiency, especially in resource poor settings [4].

Peer-based education interventions have frequently been used as strategies for preventing HIV and other STIs amongst a number of target populations, including youth in developing countries. A meta-analysis of 13 studies reported that peer education interventions were significantly associated with increased HIV knowledge and improved behavioral outcomes [5]. Peer education has also been employed in previous HIV/AIDS interventions as an effective measure to promote STIs treatment seeking behaviors, access to information and utilization of SRH and HIV/AIDS services [6], [7], [8], [9].

The first case of HIV infection was reported in 1990, in Ho Chi Minh city, since then HIV/AIDS has become a significant public health problem in Vietnam (12). Currently, the HIV epidemic in Vietnam is described as concentrated. The 2011 national data estimated that adult HIV prevalence was 0.45% with young people aged 15 –24 accounting for 53.6% of all HIV reported cases [10]. This figure is similar to the worldwide distribution with more than 50% of HIV infection cases being recorded among this age group [11]. Young people have been identified as an important target group in the national HIV prevention and control strategy [12].

In Vietnam, as in other countries, VCT for HIV constitutes a major component of the national strategy for HIV prevention and control [12], [13], [14], [15]. Access to centers providing exclusive VCT services have been limited [16], [17], [18], most likely due to stigma associated with HIV testing, the lack of accompanied medical services, and inadequate social service support for those who test positive for HIV [19]. Recognizing the importance of SRH-HIV services integration, the national guidelines on SRH-HIV linkage in health facilities is being developed. To date, however, no studies have examined the benefits of this intervention strategy to support the current development of the national guidelines in Vietnam.

This study based on an analysis of baseline and end line survey data from the first project in Vietnam that employed the integration of VCT into existing SRH services to target young people aged 15–24. The study aimed to document changes in HIV knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, and changes in the use of HIV testing services in the target population. We hypothesized that as a result of the project interventions, there would be significant increases in respondents’ HIV knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors and significant increases in their use of HIV testing services.

Methods

The research protocol and consent procedure were reviewed and approved by MSIV. Ethical approval including approval of consent procedure was provided by the Ethic Panel of the Provincial Department of Health in each province, namely, Hanoi, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Ho Chi Minh city, and Binh Duong. Written consent was obtained from participants aged 18 years or older, or from parents of participants under 18 years of age after a clear explanation of the study objectives and potential benefits and risks. Participants were also given the opportunity to withdraw from the study at any time. Confidentiality was strictly protected using personal identification codes and data files were protected by password.

Results

Discussion

This study presents the first ever findings on behavioral outcomes of a HIV VCT-SRH integrated intervention project targeting young people in Vietnam. Overall, statistical analyses indicate that almost all baseline indicators were changed in the desired direction after two year project implementation. Notably, there was statistical evidence of increased use of and greater demand for HIV testing services. This finding is consistent with a systematic review that documented positive effects of the HIV VCT-SRH integration on the uptake of HIV testing [21]. Our observations of a positive change in: self-reported services usage, willingness to test for HIV, and some aspects of HIV/AIDS related knowledge, are also similar to the results observed in previous interventions that integrated HIV VCT-SRH services in China [22] and Thailand [23].

The positive change was reflected in the increase in self-reported usage rates for HIV testing (from 7.5% to 15.4%, p<0.05) and usage rates in the last 12 months (from 54.5% to 67.5%; p<0.05) in community and factory youth. In addition, the proportion of youth respondents who reported wanting a HIV test also significantly increased (from 33% to 51%, p<0.05). These changes were also in line with data collected from exit client interviews that showed growing use of VCT services at the MSIV clinic as described earlier. As a result of services integration, the MSIV SRH center would have attracted more clients presenting for HIV VCT services compared to other health facilities (e.g., private VCT clinic, public VCT center) where SRH services may not be available. Furthermore, the increase in self-reported usage rates was also consistent with the increased proportion of youth who reported meeting a peer educator in last 12 months, suggesting that peer support and referral through the use of referral cards would have been effective. It is appropriate to note that given the higher proportion of clients seeking a HIV test in their current visit, the absence of a significant increase in the proportion of those who were previously tested for HIV was not surprising.

In line with the increased proportion of youth who reported meeting a peer educator in the last 12 months, our analysis also revealed changes in youth HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and risk perceptions. There was a significant increase in the percentage of youth who were able to identify measures to prevent sexual transmission of HIV in terms of abstinence, faithfulness, and consistent use of condoms, who believed that they are at risk for HIV infection, and who reported that they would refuse sex or use a condom if knowing their sex partners have STI symptoms. In particular, the proportion of youth in the end line survey who agreed that abstinence and faithfulness are measures to prevent HIV was higher than the similar statistics reported in the national survey of Vietnamese young people conducted in the same year (69% vs. 35% for not having sex; and 90% vs. 75% for having sex with only one uninfected partner) [24]. More youth reported non-stigmatized attitudes towards PLWH (e.g., caring for relatives with HIV, buying food from a HIV infected person, and believing that a teacher with HIV can teach). Thus, efforts to improve youth HIV knowledge and attitudes and to reduce stigma and discrimination against PLWH through peer-based outreach activities could have produced positive impacts after two year project implementation.

A lack of positive changes in several indicators should be noted. The proportion of youth respondents who reported correct knowledge regarding the risk of HIV transmission via unprotected anal sex and oral sex significantly declined between 2006 and 2009. Additionally, no change was found in the proportion of youth who gave correct responses to questions on whether mosquito bite or sharing meal with a HIV positive person can transmit HIV. It appeared that uncertainty, misunderstanding, and inadequate knowledge with regards to how HIV is transmitted and not transmitted remained common in young people in the project sites. Such deficiencies in youth HIV knowledge suggested that communication strategies employed by the project, particularly the implementation of peer-based education, had not achieved the optimal outcomes. In a systematic review, Medley et al. (2009) documented a number of implementation factors that can contribute to the effectiveness of this intervention strategy including recruitment, training and supervision, retention, and compensation of peer educators [5]. For example, one time training was associated with increased HIV knowledge, while refresher training was not associated with change in HIV knowledge. Hence, the implementation of peer education interventions by the project may require adjustments taking into account these factors to specifically address youth knowledge gaps. In future interventions, emphasis should be placed on correcting youth misperceptions about HIV transmission identified in the present analysis.

In a review of available studies on HIV-SRH linkages, Kennedy et al. 2010 [21] identified several factors that contribute to successful integration of SRH and HIV services: involvement of the community during planning and implementation, ongoing capacity building, positive staff attitudes, non-stigmatizing services, and engagement of target populations. It appeared that these factors were well observed in the current project in at least three ways. Firstly, the intervention was developed building on thorough situational analyses involving youth, communities, VCT clients and service providers who provided intensive input to the design of project activities and materials. Secondly, efforts to engage young people in the project implementation through peer outreach communication activities and community education events would have increased availability of information on VCT services. Finally, intensive and ongoing capacity building undertaken through training support delivered by the project technical team could have improved service providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and technical skills, which in turn, enhanced service quality and attracted more clients to the project supported clinics. This, along with providers’ efforts to facilitate emotional, social and medical support for clients who test positive for HIV, would have reduced stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and HIV testing. All of these factors could explain the positive changes in HIV VCT service use and HIV knowledge in the target population after two year project implementation.

Study findings should be interpreted in conjunction with its limitations. First, baseline and follow-up samples were not entirely comparable, and there were a lack of a control group and incomplete measurement of respondents’ exposure to the project interventions. As such, the observed changes in youth knowledge and behaviors might be susceptible to confounding bias. For example, the changes in some behavioral indicators might be the result of secular trends or other interventions ongoing in the region during the course of project implementation. However, as noted above, the project interventions entailed essential ingredients of a successful HIV-SRH integration. Moreover, some HIV knowledge indicators measured after project implementation were higher than the national survey data. Even without a control group, based on data, it is likely that the proposed association of improvements in youth’s HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and their use of HIV testing service with the project interventions is plausible.

Second, data on the use of HIV VCT services was self-reported, and was not supplemented with clinic-level data, so it was impossible to assess the impact of intervention on the actual provision of HIV testing services. However, data collected from youth surveys and client exit interviews consistently indicate a rising trend in the use of HIV testing service, providing evidence of the intervention impact. Third, the measures of HIV knowledge (e.g., knowledge on vaginal sex, drug use, and maternal to child transmission) or behavior (e.g., condom use) were incomplete. The evaluation based on available data, therefore, did not entirely reflect potential effects of the project interventions. Fourth, client interviews were only conducted at the MSIV center clinics, results therefore may not be generalized to other clinics that were also supported by the project. Finally, due to the small sample sizes, the analysis was under-powered to evaluate the change separately for each evaluation site. As the sample of exit clients contained all age groups, we were unable to assess the change in the use of HIV VCT services among youth clients separately. Thus, the possibility of increased use of VCT services among youth clients must await future studies for confirmation.

Conclusions

In the absence of empirical research (e.g., experimental study), this study provides preliminary evidence regarding the benefits of HIV VCT-SRH integrated services in promoting access to HIV services and HIV testing in Vietnamese youth. Furthermore, the documentation of project interventions that entailed essential elements of the successful integration offers complementary evidence to support the current development of the national guidelines on SRH-HIV linkage in health facilities. Study limitations call for further investigations, including experimental studies, to better delineate the effectiveness and challenges of this intervention model in Vietnamese contexts. Future studies should assess clinic-level indicators (e.g., services quality, client volumes, the number of services provided), health outcomes (e.g., STIs incidence), and uptake of HIV testing. Larger sample sizes will also be required to evaluate the intervention impact in each project site. Obviously, replication of the intervention and associated outcomes in any future study would increase confidence in positive changes found in the present analysis.

Funding Statement

Funding for this study came from MSIV (Marie Stopes International Vietnam). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.