Background: From the first case of HIV/AIDS in Vietnam on December 1990, up to June 30th 2007, there were 126,543 cases of HIV infections, 24,788 AIDS patients and 13,874 AIDS-related deaths. Strong political commitments were given by the government to develop HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs. Objectives: To discover the current state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and HIV/AIDS prevention as well as control in a number of northern provinces and to discover various related factors. Subjects and method: An analytic cross-sectional study was carried out from 2006 to 2007 on the leaders of local authorities, health facilities and HIV-infected people in 7 northern provinces. The documents and reports related to HIV/AIDS prevention and control were reviewed. Results: HIV/AIDS epidemic is not the problem of only the health system; it was increasing as a complex problem. HIV infection rate was higher in Quang Ninh, Ha Noi, and Son La. Among HIV-infected people, drug-injected users accounted for 93%. The prevention of HIV/AIDS has been planed, carried out in all communities, but is not very efficient and it requires high-quality solutions that should be widened to control and reduce this disease. Conclusion: The efficacy of current HIV/AIDS prevention and control program was not proficient.
HIV/AIDS epidemic ; prevention ; control

HIV Infections ; prevention & control ; Humans

Background: Success in preventing HIV transmission from mother to child has been confirmed, however intervention remains difficult in both services and access barriers due to discrimination and stigma. Objectives: To clarify the HIV prevalence in pregnant women and evaluate the indicators related to the impact of intervention on prevention of mother-to child transmission of HIV. Subjects and method: This study was carried out in 5 districts in 5 provinces that implemented the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) Project. The interventions included the training to provide knowledge, skills on counseling, testing and supervision on PMTCT. The data were collected from designed-questionaires. Results:The results showed there are 100% of pregnant women that came for antenatal visits, had voluntary test counseling. The prevalence of HIV (+) among pregnant women was 0,43%. There were 57 infants born to mothers with HIV (+); received prophylaxis treatment. At the time of the study, there were 31 infants at 18 months of age that received HIV test and all of them were confirmed as negative. Conclusion: Intervention on PMTCT was effectively achieved and should be expanded nationally. Communication, counseling is very important to encourage pregnant women with HIV (+); visit for antenatal care, followed up by health facility and strict adherence to the PMCT schedule to diminish the chance of transmission to their infants.
Prevention of Mother to Child transmission ; HIV testing counseling ; HIV voluntary test.

The role of natural killer cell in natural protection against HIV-1 infection was studies on 37 injected drug users (IDUs) who had been in high risk of exposure to HIV-1 but remain uninfected (EU) for many years follow-up. A comparison had been conducted between 10 IDUs who underwent seroconversion and 28 unexposed blood donors (controls). The results showed that the lytic activities and cytokines production of natural killer cells were significantly augmented in EU IDUs. This findings supports the role of natural killers cells in contribution to the natural immune response against HIV-1 infection among exposed uninfected IDUs
HIV ; prevention & control ; Killer Cells, Natural

This study was carried out on single adolescents (between 14 and 24 years old) lived in Ha Tinh province. Results: the mean age when having sexual relations was 20 years. Prevalence of drug use was 0.6% (no one change from smoking to injection). Prevalence of pre-married sexual relations was 12.5%, and 13.3% among them used condoms. 20% of them had sex with sex workers, 5% with sudden sexual partners, and 83.3% with lovers. 58.3% of adolescents used condoms when having sexual relations with sex workers.
HIV/prevention & control ; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/prevention & control

5 hot points of prostitution activities, intravenuos drug use and HIV infections in Ha Tinh Province were Nghi Xuan District, Hong Linh Town, Ha Tinh Provincial City, Thach Ha district and Ky Anh District, which enrolled in the study. 20% of prostites used the condom in intercourse, their 20% had got sexually transmited diseases. The awareness on HIV/AIDS was underaccessible to them. 30- 50% of drug intravenous users shared the needles, 80% among them used condoms in sexual relation with prostitutes.
HIV/prevention & control ; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/prevention & control ; Knowledge ; Awareness

Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use* ; HIV ; HIV Infections/prevention & control* ; Humans ; Post-Exposure Prophylaxis ; Public Health

Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use* ; China ; Consensus ; HIV ; HIV Infections/prevention & control* ; Humans ; Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; China ; epidemiology ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; HIV-1 ; Humans

Although HIV is a significant problem in Africa, HIV infection rates are rising rapidly in other regions such as Asia and South America. International health organizations have recognized the need to develop effective strategies to check the worldwide transmission of HIV. Studies have demonstrated the significant reduction of HIV, HPV, HSV-2 and other STD infection rates with male circumcision (MC). Although numerous MC techniques are available, there are no standardized protocols and surgical training programs. Studies have shown that the standardization of MC techniques coupled with training programs can significantly reduce complication rates. High complication rates have been a primary obstacle to the implementation of MC services. We recommend the establishment of surgical standards and training protocols prior to the promotion of MC services in China.
China ; Circumcision, Male ; standards ; HIV Infections ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Male