Authors: Chunqing Lin, Li Li, Anh Tuan Le, Hoang My Lien Tran, Thanh Duyen Pham, Anh Tuan Nguyen
This study’s goal was to pilot test a CHW-delivered intervention to facilitate decentralized harm reduction service delivery in Vietnam. This study was conducted between August 2020 and May 2021 at six community methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) distribution sites in Thai Nguyen Province of Vietnam. Five commune health workers (CHWs) were recruited from each center and participated in in-person intervention training that included content to correct misconceptions about harm reduction and reduce stigmatizing attitudes towards patients who use drugs, among other topics. The research team also developed a web-based platform to streamline CHWs’ patient monitoring and referral efforts. CHWs in the intervention group showed a significantly higher level of improvement in adherence to service delivery protocol and a lower level of management-related stress compared to the control group. The acceptability and promising outcomes of this intervention suggest that similar strategies can be applied to enhance the decentralization of other chronic disease treatment services through involvement of CHWs.
Link: An intervention pilot to facilitate harm reduction service decentralization in Vietnam
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Resource Topic: Harm reduction, Intervention
Resource Type: Research
Year: 2023
Region: Asia
Country: Vietnam
Publisher May Restrict Access: No