Theme: Social Science & Policy Research Year: 2025
| Background: Although low dead-space syringes/needles (LDSS/N) potentially reduce HIV and HCV transmission, using high dead-space syringes/needles (HDSS/N) remains dominance among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Vietnam. We conducted qualitative study to explore community values and preferences for LDSS/N in Nghe An province to inform implementation of the needles and syringes program (NSP).
Methods: In January 2025, we conducted four focus group discussions in the Que Phong and Quy Chau districts of Nghe An. Two community-based organizations recruited 29 Thai ethnic minority PWID (27 males and 2 females) aged 20-58 years and who reported regular drug injection in the last month. We introduced three HDSS/N (3ml luer slip, 2mL luer lock, and standard 3mL syringe) and four LDSS/N (25G 16mm, 25G 25mm, 23G 32mm, and 30G 13mm) and asked participants about their values and preferences for these products. Focus groups were conducted in Vietnamese, audio recorded, transcribed, and then files were imported into NVivo 15 for coding and analysis. Results: All participants reported injecting heroin and 8 (28%) mixed with Amphetamine or Novocain. Twenty (70%) preferred the 3mL luer slip syringe, while 9 (30%)still preferred the standard 3mL syringe; 19 (65%) preferred the 25G 16mm needle, whereas 10 (35%) preferred the 25G 25mm needle. Preference was influenced by mixing drugs, diverse injection sites, availability of needles and syringes and convenience for injecting drugs. Syringes were valued by smoothness, suitability, convenience for dividing and injecting drugs, and being familiar and easy to clean, while needles were valued by suitability, ease of use, sharpness, painlessness, saving drugs, and reducing risk of infection. Conclusion: LDSS/N 25G 16mm/25mm were preferred by PWID in Nghe An. This suggests that given the unavailability of 3mL LDSS/N, combining LDSS/N with suitable HDSS/N is an acceptable option to improve NSP for reducing HIV and HCV transmission in Vietnam. |