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.
Highlights
In a landmark study in The Lancet in 2016, Reisner et al [1] noted the substantial gaps in empirical research on the global health burden of transgender people
The term men who have sex with men (MSM) is used to highlight the distinction between sexual identity issue and sexual behavior issue [2,3], while the term transgender describes people whose assigned sex at birth differs from their current gender identity or expression [1]
This study was conducted by the Letter of Approval #ISDS-03-2016 issued by the Institute of Social Development Studies (ISDS), per the request from the Vietnamese Center for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI)
Summary
In a landmark study in The Lancet in 2016, Reisner et al [1] noted the substantial gaps in empirical research on the global health burden of transgender people. Given that sexual and gender minority groups, such as MSM and transgender individuals, represent vulnerable populations at increased risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, addressing their needs and concerns is an urgent matter for them and for the sake of the social public health system. For the MSM population, of the health risks that receive academic attention, HIV-related risks top the list This concern is founded on the fact that MSM account for a significant proportion of cases in HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) clinics, as shown to be the case in Indonesia [19], J. As with the MSM population, transgenders face a high burden for HIV infection because of their risky sexual behaviors, such as inconsistent condom use and needle-sharing for hormone injections [28]
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