title: Needs Assessment on the Use of Health Services Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vietnam are at high risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI). However, few MSM in Vietnam routinely utilize HIV/STI testing and treatment services. We conducted a survey among MSM in Ho Chi Minh City to assess practices and preferences for accessing health services.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this qualitative study, 19 individual interviews and 3 focus group discussions were conducted with a total of 50 MSM. All participants self-identified as gay or bisexual and were stratified by age group. Recruitment was by convenience sampling through social networks. Semi-structured interview guides included experience accessing health services, stigma and discrimination in the health care setting, and preferences for HIV and STI counseling and services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty MSM aged 17 to 40 participated in the assessment. The majority had post-secondary education (92%) and above-average incomes. Almost all participants appreciated the cleanliness and quicker service in the private sector, while services in public hospitals were described as lower in quality but acceptable and uniform. The majority of the participants expressed a preference for MSM-specific services focusing on HIV/STI counseling, testing, and treatment. There was a strong preference for accessing HIV and STI services at a stand-alone clinic independent from other health facilities, where confidentiality could be assured. The majority were willing to pay a higher cost for private sector services, provided the service was of high quality, confidential, and non-stigmatizing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirms the need for high quality, nonjudgmental, and confidential HIV/STI health services for MSM in Vietnam. There is generally a willingness to pay for health services provided that the services are seen to be tolerant and friendly to MSM.
authors.affiliation: 1 Center for Applied Research on Men and Community Health, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam .
authors.forename: Huyen T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Hoang
authors.affiliation: 1 Center for Applied Research on Men and Community Health, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam .
authors.forename: Thi D A
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Mai
authors.affiliation: 2 PATH , Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Ngoc Anh
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: 1 Center for Applied Research on Men and Community Health, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam .
authors.forename: Nguyen Tan
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Thu
authors.affiliation: 1 Center for Applied Research on Men and Community Health, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam .
authors.forename: Nguyen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Van Hiep
authors.affiliation: 1 Center for Applied Research on Men and Community Health, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam .
authors.forename: Bao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Le
authors.affiliation: 1 Center for Applied Research on Men and Community Health, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam .|3 SEARCH, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Center , Bangkok, Thailand .
authors.forename: Donn J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Colby
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology; D003376:Counseling; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D057545:Social Stigma; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014744:Vietnam; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Asia; HIV testing; Vietnam; health; men who have sex with men (MSM)