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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Oct 1.
Published in final edited form as: AIDS Behav. 2016 Oct;20(10):2357–2371. doi: 10.1007/s10461-015-1265-x

Table 1.

Socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors and HIV/STI knowledge among MSM in eight southern provinces of Vietnam

Characteristics Ba Ria-Vung Tau
Dong Nai
TayNinh
Ben Tre
Vinh Long
Dong Thap
HauGiang
SocTrang
Overall
n % n % n % N % n % n % n % n % n %
Age (years) 400 358 400 380 338 289 300 300 2765
 16–18 9.3 6.4 29.7 31.8 24.6 15.9 26.3 19.3 20.5
 19–24 45.0 27.7 39.0 44.7 42.0 50.2 34.3 34.3 39.7
 25–30 28.3 23.7 16.0 9.8 12.4 22.5 25.7 23.7 20.0
 31–61 17.4 42.2 15.3 13.7 21.0 11.4 13.7 22.7 19.8
 Mean 25.9 30.0 23.6 22.7 24.9 24.0 24.2 26.0 25.2
 Median 24.0 28.0 20.5 20.0 21.0 22.0 23.0 24.0 22.0
 Range 16–61 16–57 16–56 16–54 16–59 16–55 16–53 16–56 16–61
Education 394 358 399 380 338 290 300 300 2759
 Illiterate/primary school 18.3 24.6 15.3 8.2 16.0 26.2 14.3 34.3 19.2
 Secondary school 40.1 45.5 35.8 38.2 30.8 33.8 34.3 47.7 38.3
 High school 33.0 27.7 40.4 38.3 33.1 35.2 33.1 17.0 32.6
 Vocational/tertiary or higher 8.6 2.2 8.5 15.3 20.1 4.8 18.3 1.0 9.9
Kinh ethnicity 398 99.3 353 97.7 400 99.0 380 99.5 337 99.1 287 98.6 300 93.0 300 67.0 2755 94.8
Marital status 400 357 400 380 338 290 300 300 2765
 Never married 89.2 87.1 90.5 91.3 86.3 84.1 85.0 64.6 85.4
 Never married but co–habiting with a male partner 2.8 3.6 5.0 1.3 3.0 3.8 1.0 24.7 5.3
 Married/cohabiting with a female partner 4.5 1.7 1.8 4.0 7.1 8.6 11.7 6.0 5.4
 Separated/divorced/widowed 3.5 7.6 2.7 3.4 3.6 3.5 2.3 4.7 3.9
Having a religion 400 79.0 358 79.6 400 65.8 380 50.8 335 50.2 288 59.0 299 49.2 300 89.7 2760 65.6
Residing in the local area 400 88.8 354 75.1 397 91.7 380 79.2 338 79.3 289 89.6 300 91.3 300 98.0 2758 83.4
Occupation 400 360 400 380 338 290 300 300 2768
 Unemployed 4.5 6.1 17.5 25.5 14.5 7.9 6.7 20.0 13.0
 Small business/vendors 18.3 15.6 10.8 11.6 18.6 13.1 21.7 16.3 15.6
 Singers/barbers 16.8 31.4 20.0 2.6 6.8 14.8 9.7 10.3 14.3
 White collar workers 3.0 2.5 1.3 0.3 2.1 4.2 10.7 1.0 2.9
 Students 11.0 3.6 18.0 27.4 31.1 15.2 23.0 3.7 16.7
 Blue collar workers and others 46.4 40.8 32.4 32.6 26.9 44.8 28.2 48.7 37.5
Average income/month (million VND) 400 353 400 380 334 290 299 297 2753
 ≤2 29.8 33.4 70.7 77.3 77.0 61.7 63.2 40.7 56.7
 Between 2 & 4 49.2 47.6 26.0 19.0 18.8 31.4 33.4 46.8 33.9
 >4 21.0 19.0 3.3 3.7 4.2 6.9 3.4 12.5 9.4
 Mean 3.4 3.3 1.8 1.8 1.8 2.1 2.0 2.7 2.4
 Median 3.0 3.0 2.0 1.5 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.5 2.0
 Range 0.0–15.0 0.0–35.0 0.0–15.0 0.15–20.0 0.0–10.0 0.0–10.0 0.2–7.0 0.45–10.0 0.0–35.0
Currently living with 400 357 400 380 338 290 300 300 2765
 Alone 14.3 19.9 8.5 5.5 12.4 9.3 6.3 9.7 10.9
 Parents/relatives 60.0 57.1 77.2 82.4 60.1 60.0 76.3 51.0 66.0
 Male partners/friends 20.7 21.3 12.5 9.2 21.3 20.7 6.1 32.0 17.7
 Wife/female partner 5.0 1.7 1.8 2.9 6.2 10.0 11.3 7.3 5.4
Age at sexual debut 397 352 399 380 338 290 300 300 2756
 ≤15 years old 9.6 8.5 10.8 10.5 11.8 1.4 13.0 6.3 9.2
 Mean 18.2 18.6 17.8 17.7 18.5 18.1 17.8 18.2 18.1
 Median 18.0 19.0 17.0 17.0 18.0 18.0 17.0 18.0 18.0
 Range 12.0–33.0 11.0–41.0 8.0–35.0 12.0–27.0 12.0–44.0 12.0–26.0 13.0–33.0 12.0–35.0 8.0–44.0
Self-reported type of sexual identity 399 358 399 379 336 289 298 300 2758
 Transvestite gay 15.5 29.1 19.8 10.3 11.9 22.5 24.8 14.0 18.3
 Non-transvestite gay 72.4 51.7 63.9 68.6 59.8 50.9 35.2 67.3 59.6
 Bisexual 12.0 19.3 16.3 21.1 28.3 26.6 39.9 18.7 22.1
Sexual roles in past 12 months 345 236 285 338 229 243 273 209 2158
 Exclusively insertive 16.2 12.7 22.1 23.7 39.7 25.1 38.8 31.1 25.6
 Frequently insertive 22.9 15.3 9.1 10.4 7.9 8.2 12.8 8.1 12.3
 Versatile 55.9 35.1 43.2 49.4 26.2 48.2 35.2 23.4 41.1
 Frequently receptive 3.8 30.1 5.6 11.2 8.7 11.9 4.8 18.7 11.1
 Exclusively receptive 1.2 6.8 20.0 5.3 17.5 6.6 8.4 18.7 9.9
Typical meeting places/past 12 months
 Pubs/restaurants 394 22.3 356 39.9 400 22.8 379 21.6 337 51.6 289 50.9 300 58.3 298 31.9 2753 36.1
 Guest houses/motels 394 53.1 356 62.4 400 52.5 380 31.6 337 41.5 289 40.5 300 13.0 298 24.5 2754 41.0
 Hotels 394 12.4 356 30.9 400 5.5 380 2.4 337 3.0 289 8.3 300 0.0 298 2.4 2754 8.4
 Swimming pools 394 0.5 356 4.2 400 2.5 380 1.8 337 0.0 289 0.4 300 0.0 298 1.7 2754 1.5
 Fitness/aerobic centers 394 1.8 356 2.0 400 0.0 380 1.3 337 0.3 289 0.4 300 0.0 298 1.3 2754 0.9
 Internet 394 16.2 356 9.0 400 9.8 380 16.6 337 4.2 289 10.4 300 3.0 298 3.4 2754 9.5
 Match-makers 394 1.0 356 7.6 400 2.3 380 1.8 337 0.0 289 2.8 300 0.0 298 5.4 2754 2.6
 Massage/sauna 394 4.8 356 1.7 400 1.8 380 0.5 337 0.3 289 6.6 300 0.3 298 1.3 2754 2.1
 Bars/discotheques 394 20.3 356 2.8 400 8.3 380 7.4 337 4.5 289 12.8 300 2.7 298 4.7 2754 8.2
 Theaters 394 1.5 356 0.3 400 2.3 380 1.1 337 0.6 289 2.4 300 0.0 298 0.3 2754 1.1
 On streets, parks, lake/river shores 394 19.0 356 21.6 400 14.8 380 34.0 337 11.3 289 24.6 300 37.0 298 52.4 2754 26.0
 Cafés, billiards 394 32.5 356 11.2 400 53.5 380 64.0 337 50.5 289 73.4 300 80.7 298 43.6 2754 50.1
 Others (home, workplace, school) 394 12.2 356 8.2 400 12.5 380 14.7 337 17.8 289 9.7 300 9.0 298 4.4 2754 11.3
Number of male oral sex partners in past 3 months 396 349 400 380 337 290 300 299 2751
 Mean 2.0 6.8 2.5 2.1 1.9 2.0 2.3 4.6 3.0
 Median 2.0 5.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 2.0
 Range 0.0–30.0 0.0–60.0 0.0–30.0 0.0–30.0 0.0–50.0 0.0–8.0 0.0–15.0 0.0–30.0 0.0–60.0
Number of male anal sex partners in past 3 months 398 356 399 380 336 290 300 299 2758
 None 16.3 44.9 37.3 20.5 37.5 18.3 9.3 33.4 27.5
 1 35.4 10.5 24.1 33.2 27.7 42.1 32.7 18.7 27.9
 2–4 45.2 26.1 30.8 39.7 27.7 29.3 46.0 33.4 34.9
 ≥5 3.1 18.5 7.8 6.6 4.1 10.3 12.0 14.5 9.7
 Mean 1.7 2.4 1.8 1.9 1.6 1.9 2.4 2.3 2.0
 Median 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.0
 Range 0.0–13.0 0.0–22.0 0.0–30.0 0.0–25.0 0.0–21.0 0.0–8.0 0.0–12.0 0.0–20.0 0.0–30.0
Having sex in the past 12 months with
 Foreigners 400 2.3 360 3.1 400 2.8 380 2.6 338 1.2 290 5.5 300 0.0 300 0.7 2768 2.3
 Females/girlfriends 400 19.5 350 10.3 400 19.3 380 35.8 338 40.5 290 46.6 300 50.7 297 32.0 2755 30.7
 Wife/cohabiting partner 400 18.0 350 8.6 400 16.8 380 25.8 338 34.3 290 42.4 300 49.7 296 29.7 2754 27.0
 Female sex workers 400 7.5 350 1.7 400 3.0 379 6.6 336 4.8 290 10.7 300 6.0 295 5.1 2750 5.6
 Female clients 400 0.3 348 0.0 400 0.0 379 1.6 336 0.6 290 2.8 300 2.0 296 1.0 2749 1.0
 Voluntary male partners 399 91.2 357 73.1 400 90.3 380 90.8 337 95.9 290 91.0 300 99.7 299 88.3 2762 89.8
 Male clients 399 24.8 356 35.7 400 20.5 380 40.8 337 16.6 290 13.5 300 6.0 299 42.1 2761 25.4
 Male sex workers 398 10.1 357 15.4 400 11.3 380 14 337 2.1 290 6.9 300 2.7 299 19.4 2761 10.4
Condom use during anal sex with male partners in past 3 months 328 205 257 295 189 234 272 202 1982
 Never 14.6 21.0 20.6 36.6 28.0 20.1 20.2 21.3 22.7
 Sometimes 17.7 35.6 6.6 10.9 9.1 14.5 8.8 15.8 14.5
 Often 35.1 17.1 23.0 14.7 16.9 13.3 11.4 17.8 19.3
 Always 32.6 26.3 49.8 38.0 46.0 52.1 59.6 45.1 43.5
Use of condoms when having sex with female sex workers/past 12 months 29 6 12 25 16 31 18 15 152
 Never 0.0 0 50.0 12 12.5 0.0 27.8 13.3 11.8
 Sometimes 10.3 0 0.0 4 18.8 16.2 16.7 6.7 10.5
 Often 0.0 17 8.3 8 12.4 16.1 16.7 0.0 9.3
 Always 89.7 83 41.7 76 56.3 67.7 38.8 80.0 68.4
Lubricant use when having anal intercourse in past 12 months 345 236 285 335 228 241 273 209 2152
 Never 69.9 29.7 60.0 60.6 66.2 32.4 60.4 70.8 57.0
 Saliva 2.6 2.1 4.2 3.9 1.8 13.7 0.8 1.0 3.7
 Water 22.6 18.2 9.8 17.3 12.3 9.1 0.0 5.7 12.5
 Oil/cream 4.9 50.0 26.0 18.2 19.7 44.8 38.8 22.5 26.8
Self-assessment of HIV risk among those who had ever heard about HIV/AIDS 383 304 328 336 287 220 268 211 2337
 Not at all 56.7 44.1 69.8 48.2 67.2 69.5 62.7 63.0 59.4
 Not likely 15.9 11.8 16.5 14.0 17.1 15.0 19.4 4.8 14.6
 Likely 22.7 38.8 12.5 28.9 13.6 10.9 16.0 24.6 21.4
 Very likely 4.7 5.3 1.2 8.9 2.1 4.6 1.9 7.6 4.6
Ever tested for HIV 400 12.8 360 6.9 400 3.5 380 9.2 338 8.3 290 4.5 300 1.0 300 16.7 2768 7.9
Had heard about HIV 400 95.8 358 85.2 400 82.0 380 88.4 338 84.9 290 75.9 300 89.3 300 70.3 2766 84.5
Correct knowledge about HIV prevention 400 358 400 380 338 290 300 300 2766
 Always using condoms during sex can reduce HIV transmission 77.3 68.4 77.8 85.3 78.1 71.4 76.7 65.7 75.5
 A healthy-looking person can be infected with HIV 64.0 69.8 70.8 71.3 70.4 59.0 70.3 56.0 66.8
 Sharing food with PLWHIV does not transmit HIV 91.0 74.3 74.5 77.4 75.4 48.6 82.3 65.3 74.5
 Mosquitoes do not transmit HIV 58.3 65.9 56.5 67.9 57.4 50.3 63.3 61.3 60.3
 Having only one partner can reduce the risk of HIV infection 68.0 63.7 68.5 73.4 70.1 64.1 70.7 57.3 67.3
Necessary knowledge about HIV (National AIDS preventive indicator-21) (×) 400 30.8 358 41.9 400 38.3 380 44.2 338 41.1 290 29.3 300 42.3 300 43.3 2766 38.9
Heard or knew about STIs 400 64.8 357 65.6 400 65.3 380 76.3 337 69.1 290 54.1 300 57.3 299 31.4 2763 61.5
Knew at least one male STI- related symptom 400 58.3 360 60.8 400 27.5 380 39.2 338 53.0 290 43.1 300 43.0 300 25.0 2768 44.0
Ever had an STI 400 0.8 360 1.9 400 1.8 380 4.2 338 1.5 290 5.9 300 1.0 300 2.0 2768 2.3

n number of MSMs; % percentage. Not all questions were answered by all participants, but there were very few questions that were not answered by the participants

(×): Having necessary knowledge about HIV including: 1. Being faithful with a partner who is not infected HIV reduces the risk of HIV infection; 2. Condom use reduces the risk of HIV infection; 3. A healthy-looking person can be infected with HIV, 4. Mosquito bite does not transmit HIV, 5. Sharing food with PLWHIV does not transmit HIV