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. 2019 Jan 17;8(1):105.
doi: 10.3390/jcm8010105.

Righting the Misperceptions of Men Having Sex with Men: A Pre-Requisite for Protecting and Understanding Gender Incongruence in Vietnam

Van Anh T Nguyen  1 , Ngoc Quynh H Nguyen  2 , Thu Hong Khuat  3 , Phuong Thao T Nguyen  4 , Thu Trang Do  5 , Xuan Thai Vu  6 , Kien Tran  7   8 , Manh Tung Ho  9   10 , Hong Kong T Nguyen  11 , Thu Trang Vuong  12 , Quan Hoang Vuong  13   14
Affiliations

Righting the Misperceptions of Men Having Sex with Men: A Pre-Requisite for Protecting and Understanding Gender Incongruence in Vietnam

Van Anh T Nguyen et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Protecting the rights of the lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, intersex, and queers (LGBTIQ) population requires, first and foremost, a proper understanding of their sexual orientation and gender identity. This study highlights a severe misunderstanding and lack of knowledge among health professionals in Vietnam with regard to the men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgenders. This study uses (i) a survey based on the convenience sampling method among 150 health workers that covered 61 questions and (ii) 12 in-depth interviews in two metropolitan centres in Vietnam, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. Three main topics are explored: (i) the general knowledge of healthcare workers about MSM and transgenders; (ii) their knowledge about the sexual reproductive health and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) risks of MSM and transgenders; and (iii) their attitudes and behaviors towards MSM and transgenders. One of the notable findings is how prevalent the misperceptions are across the board, namely, in staff of both sexes, in both cities, at various kinds of medical facilities, at different work positions and educational levels. Half of the respondents consider transgenders to have a curable mental problem while 45% say MSM only have sex with males. Most remarkably, 12.7% state if they have any choice, they want nothing to do with MSM and transgenders. The study finds there is a considerable percentage of health professionals who lack knowledge about the diversity of sexual orientation, gender identity, and health issues related to the sexual minorities and gender non-conforming population. To improve the clinical process for serving these at-risk groups, the study suggests the continual education for the health workers needs to be added to their formal as well as in-job training.

Keywords: LGBTIQ rights; MSM; Vietnam; clinical process; men who have sex with men; transgenders.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The clinical process for meeting the needs of men who have sex with men (MSM). HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; STI, sexually transmitted infection.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The percentage of respondents to the survey categorized by sex and work positions.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The percentage (%) of respondents agreeing with incorrect statements about MSM as categorized by: (a) sex and educational levels; and (b) work positions.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The percentage of respondents agreeing with the incorrect statements about transgenders as categorized by educational levels and work positions.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The percentage of respondents agreeing with the different ways of sexual intercourse practiced by MSM as categorized by sex and educational levels.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The percentage of respondents agreeing with common SRH issues facing transgenders as categorized by: (a) sex, and (b) medical facilities.
Figure 7
Figure 7
The percentage (%) of respondents knowledgeable about the HIV transmission risks faced by MSM and transgenders as categorized by: (a) cities, (b) medical facilities, and (c) work positions.
Figure 8
Figure 8
The percentage of respondents agreeing with the discriminatory statements about MSM and transgenders as categorized by their frequency of interaction with MSM and transgenders.
Figure 9
Figure 9
The different ways in which health workers address their clients as categorized by work positions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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