title: The development of peer educator-based harm reduction programmes in Northern Vietnam.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Injecting drug use remains an important risk factor for transmission in Vietnam, with an estimated 50% of the 290 000 people living with HIV/AIDS reporting injecting drug use as a risk factor. Despite this, effective harm reduction interventions are generally lacking. This paper describes the implementation of peer-based harm reduction programmes in two rural provinces of Vietnam.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peer educators were trained in basic HIV prevention, including harm reduction. After significant preparation work with the Provincial AIDS Committees of Bac Giang and Thanh Hoa and other relevant national, provincial and local authorities, the interventions were commenced. Harm reduction interventions were delivered through outreach as well as on-site. This included needle and syringe distribution and collection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Community advocacy occurred throughout the life of the project. Local authorities and peers believed that while there was a general reduction in stigma and discrimination, legal barriers associated particularly with the carrying of injecting equipment remained. This impacted upon the ability of peer educators to work with their clients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peer-based delivery of harm reduction intervention is acceptable. Harm reduction interventions, including needle and syringe programmes, are feasible and acceptable in these two rural Vietnamese provinces. Community acceptance and uptake of these interventions is key to successful expansion across the region. Active participation by families of drug users seems crucial. This initiative demonstrates that despite a difficult policy environment, peer-delivered needle and syringe programmes are feasible within a rural Asian environment as long as there is adequate local political and community support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Tania M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Gibbie
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Higgs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018024:Peer Review, Health Care; D016730:Program Development; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology