BCC through barbers and shoe shine boys
As almost all of Vietnamese men frequent street-based barbers and shoe shine stations, the project use these individuals as HIV/AIDS peer educators in their natural work sites. This intervention began in February 2001 in Hai Phong and additional “Barber” interventions were initiated in Quang Ninh and Hanoi in mid-2002.
Volunteer barbers and shoe shine boys were recruited and trained on HIV/AIDS prevention and related topics. Barbers share HIV prevention messages in one-on-one interactions with customers, and provide behavior change communications (BCC) materials and condoms while cutting customers’ hair. Shoe shine boys only pass out BCC materials.
BCC through motorcycle taxi drivers
The Motorcycle taxi driver intervention began in Can Tho, Binh Dinh and Quang Ninh in October 2000. The project uses teams of motorcycle taxi drivers (known as "xe om" driver) as volunteer HIV/AIDS peer educators to community men, as well as to men traveling through the province or visiting the province for work or recreation. These drivers often work near the "hot spots" for commercial sex or drug use (hotels, truck stops, karaoke bars, restaurants) along major highways and intersections, near factories and commercial areas, sea ports, river ports, and ferry crossings. After training, peer educators provide HIV prevention information, hand out print materials and condoms, and provide instructions on condom use to their male customers. (DKT international has also provided condoms for drivers to sell if they chose to sell them). The work was so successful, that it was replicated in Cam Pha and Ha Long city of Quang Ninh province in March 2002.
By September 30, 2002, 65 trained barbers in Hai Phong reached 56,325 male clients with HIV/AIDS prevention messages, distributed 29,279 BCC materials and sold 6000 condoms. Furthermore, 290 trained motorcycle taxi drivers reached 47,357 male customers in Can Tho and Binh Dinh and 15,500 in Quang Ninh. They distributed 64,407 pieces of BCC materials and 14,645 condoms.
As a result, positive images of male responsibility are created and reinforced. Additionally, "xe om", barbers and shoeshine boys experience raised self-esteem and increased public respect because their jobs make a difference in the lives of others.
Information verified by CHMI-Vietnam:
