Promoting HIV self-testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis communication among young people

Mr. Nguyen Van Thuong - Deputy Director of the Department of Health said that although it has just been implemented, the number of people participating in PrEP treatment in Nghe An always exceeds the annual target. Photo: Dinh Nguyet

This event is to celebrate World AIDS Day (December 1, 2022), and to promote the expansion of HIV self-testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

From 1996 to present, Nghe An has detected more than 10,600 people infected with HIV, of which, the number of people infected with HIV still living and being managed is over 6,200 people.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic situation is still complicated, with localities such as Que Phong, Quy Chau, and Tuong Duong still having many high-risk groups.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thuy Van - WHO Senior Expert in Vietnam hopes that communication activities in Nghe An in the coming time will be more positive and effective, striving for Nghe An to become one of the leading provinces in achieving the final goal of the National HIV/AIDS Prevention Strategy. Photo: Dinh Nguyet

Speaking at the program, Dr. Nguyen Van Thuong - Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Health said: "In recent years, with the attention and direction of Party committees at all levels, authorities, departments, branches, and organizations, along with the support of social organizations and international projects, with synchronous solutions, HIV prevention work in the province has achieved remarkable results.

Nghe An has implemented the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) program since June 2020 with the support of the Global Fund Project. To date, it has been implemented at 3 clinics at Vinh City General Hospital, Quy Hop District Medical Center, Tuong Duong District Medical Center and 1 private clinic (Glink clinic).

Although it is a new locality, the number of people participating in PrEP treatment in Nghe An always exceeds the annual target (currently there are more than 1,400 people participating in PrEP treatment).

Introducing a model of providing integrated community-based HIV testing services to a large number of students. Photo: Dinh Nguyet

In order to attract more and more people to access services, participate in effective treatment, contribute to reducing HIV infection in the community, towards the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030, Nghe An Health sector has promoted the communication campaign on HIV/AIDS in the province.

The communication event on HIV self-testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is one of the typical activities, aiming to provide young people with useful knowledge about safe sex, HIV/AIDS, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); equipping young people with methods to protect their own health and the community.

At the program, the organizers introduced a model of providing integrated community-based HIV, HCV and syphilis testing services - providing home testing services through the website: tuxetnghiem.vn, which has been deployed since 2021, with the support of WHO. The model is highly effective, helping Nghe An detect many new HIV infections.

Delegates signed a commitment to join hands to end the AIDS pandemic by 2030. Photo: Dinh Nguyet

On this occasion, representatives of the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention - Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam, and the Nghe An Department of Health signed a commitment to join hands to end the AIDS pandemic by 2030.