Rapid socioeconomic transformation in Vietnam in last 15 years has been followed by more liberation of sexual expression and representation of sexual identity among young people. There has been an increase in the visibility of homosexual men in major cities of Vietnam who were largely an unknown population until the emergence of the HIV epidemic. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are now considered as one of the target groups in many HIV prevention programs. This qualitative study examines local identities, relationships, and sexual practices among young MSM aged 15-24 in the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Our analyses were based on 26 in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions with young MSM recruited through public place intercepts and cruising areas. Data document the linguistic classification, sexual relationships and behaviors, identity and process of homosexual identification, and the potential linkage between sexual identity and sexual behaviors of MSM in Vietnam. Data also highlight the stages of homosexual community development in urban Vietnam and important differences between Vietnam and the West in the representation of homosexual identity, relationships, and practices. In light of the findings, we suggest that the continuing development and elaboration of a homosexual community in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offers significant opportunities for targeted HIV/AIDS prevention activities in the Vietnamese MSM population.As in many other cultures, homosexuality is not considered a normal or acceptable practice in Vietnam. Although homosexuality has never been explicitly illegal in Vietnam, men who engage in homosexual practices are regarded as a "deviant" group, subject to social stigma and discrimination. As a result, they often attempt to keep their sexual identities and desires secret. Rapid socioeconomic transformation in last 15 years has led to greater freedom of sexual expression among young people, and advances in communication technologies have enabled homosexuals in Vietnam to interact with and learn about their counterparts in other countries. There are now a growing number of men who openly assert homosexual identities in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and their increasing visibility has garnered greater public attention (Blanc, 2005; Colby, Cao, & Dousntouse, 2004).
Chronic musculoskeletal pain can be a major burden for most patients, affecting their lifestyle and reducing overall quality of life. When compared to PLO, phospholipid base has the ability to potentially deliver higher concentrations of ketoprofen to underlying soft tissues and at a more rapid rate. With more ketoprofen at the site of injury, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects will likely be enhanced, potentially reducing pain and improving quality of life.
Background Mobile health (mHealth) has been used to promote sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education and services; however, little is known about the use of mHealth to improve safe abortion knowledge and access to safe abortion services among female sex workers (FSWs). This study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of iConnect intervention through changes in knowledge on safe abortion and changes in perceived barriers to safe abortion services among FSWs in Vietnam. Methods iConnect mobile app was developed as an interactive platform to deliver safe abortion education and referral to safe abortion services through short messaging services (SMS) enhanced by tele-counseling for 512 FSWs in Hanoi, Vietnam. A pretest-posttest evaluation was conducted using questionnaire-based phone interviews administered to 251 participants at baseline and 3 months following the intervention. Non-parametric tests evaluated the change in abortion knowledge, behaviors, and perceived barriers to safe abortion. Results There were significant improvements in the knowledge on safe abortion among the study participants. Specifically, FSWs’ knowledge of correct gestational ages (≤22 weeks) for medical abortion increased from 78.9% at baseline to 96.8% (P=0.001). Knowledge of correct gestational ages for medical abortion at the private clinic increased from 45.3% to 63.1% (P=0.001). Knowledge on the consequences of unsafe abortion increased from 75.2% to 92.1% (P=0.001). In addition, perceived stigma and discrimination when seeking safe abortion decreased from 36.5% to 27.8% (P=0.036) and worry about the lack of confidentiality decreased from 23.3% to 15.5% (P=0.035). Conclusions The evaluation results showed the initial effectiveness of a mobile app-based intervention in improving access to safe abortion information and services among FSWs. A future study is needed to establish the efficacy of the intervention for scaling up in Vietnam and elsewhere.
H ig h S tra in R a te B e h a v io r of G ra p h e n e R e in fo rc e d P o ly u re th a n e C o m p o s ite sA compressive split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was used to investigate the dynamic mechanical behavior o f graphene (GR) reinforced polyurethane (PU) composites (GRI PU) at high strain rates ranging from approximately 1500 s~' to 5000 s~'. Four types o f GR/PU composites with different GR contents: 0.25% GR, 0.5% GR, 0.75% GR, and 1% GR were prepared by the solution mixing method and divided into two groups o f unheated and postheated specimens. Experimental results show that the GR/PU compos ite is a strong strain rate dependent material, especially in the high strain rate regime o f 3000s~ -5000 s~ . The dynamic mechanical properties o f GR/PU composite in terms o f plateau stress, peak stress, and peak load carrying capacity are better than that o f pris tine PU at most o f the applied strain rates. Among the four different GR concentrations used, the 0.5 wt.%-GR specimen shows the highest peak stress, and the 1 wt.% GR speci men has the highest plateau stress: while no significant change in peak strain with chang ing GR weight fraction was observed. Compared to unheated specimens, the plateau stress, peak stress, and peak strain o f postheated specimens are significantly higher
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