Abstract
UNAIDS recommends integration of medications for substance use disorders (SUD) with HIV care to improve HIV outcomes. Yet, integration of HIV and SUD services remains limited in many countries. The objective of this study was to assess provider perceptions of care integration in Vietnam. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 43 providers (nurses, physicians, counselors, pharmacists, and clinic managers) in 8 HIV clinics in northern Vietnam, 2013–2015. Providers identified five themes informing HIV and SUD treatment integration: (1) treatment for alcohol use disorder is often neglected compared to other SUD treatment; (2) structural challenges must be addressed to increase integration feasibility; (3) workforce limitations; (4) societal and healthcare stigmatization of SUD; and (5) providers’ conflicting views regarding integration challenges. The experience of providers in Vietnam may be useful to other countries attempting to integrate HIV and SUD services.
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Funding
This work for was funded through a grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA037441). Dr. Korthuis serves as principal investigator for NIH-funded studies that receive donated study medication from Alkermes and Indivior.
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Edsall, A., Dinh, T.T.T., Mai, P.P. et al. Provider Perspectives on Integration of Substance Use Disorder and HIV Care in Vietnam: A Qualitative Study. J Behav Health Serv Res 48, 274–286 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-020-09730-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-020-09730-4