New project on HIV prevention among young drug users launched
A new project has recently been launched to control HIV infection among young drug users aged 16 to 24 in Vietnam by the Centre for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI).
Hanoi (VNA) – A newproject has recently been launched to control HIV infection among young drugusers aged 16 to 24 in Vietnam by the Centre for Supporting Community DevelopmentInitiatives (SCDI), according to the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office underthe Ministry of Health.
The project, which will runsthrough 2019, was sponsored by Expertise France, a French agency for internationaltechnical expertise.
It will be implemented in Hanoi,Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Thai Binh, Quang Ninh and Khanh Hoa andis expected to benefit about 8,000 young drug users.
The project is designed to help developintervention strategies and enhance capacities of community-based groups in implementingintervention programmes, while improving effectiveness of communicationchannels.
Within the framework of theproject, an initial survey was conducted in Hanoi, Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh Cityamong 471 young drug users, said the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office.
The result showed drug usersoften came from economically disadvantaged families or had negative childhood experiences.
It also revealed that about 13.7percent of youth injected drug, while 60 – 75 percent had experienced sexualintercourse, of which unsafe sex accounted for 50 percent. -VNA
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Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
