The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has continued a program in one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist attractions to boost the use of condoms in the country in efforts to raise people’s awareness of this contraceptive in protecting health. On Sept 27, the agency launched the 100% Condom Use Program in Sa Pa, a tourist location in the northwestern province of Lao Cai, to provide condoms to locals and visitors at recreational and lodging facilities in Sa Pa. The program, which will last until next Sept under the USAID’s financial support, aims to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission in the province where unsafe sex caused 35% of HIV-transmitted cases. This program is part of a project began in June to boost the use of condoms among Vietnamese people, mostly those aged 18-32 living in urban areas, in a bid to prevent HIV transmission, said Jonathan Ross, USAID Public Health Office Director. The project will cover eight cities and provinces including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong, Quang Ninh, Lao Cai, Nghe An, Can Tho and An Giang. As of March 2012, Vietnam had more than 201,000 people living with HIV (PLWH) including 61,000 AIDS-caused deaths. Vietnam is facing financial shortage for HIV/AIDS control projects, which have been mostly funded by foreign organizations. Since 2004, the USAID has been financing Vietnam roughly $588 million in relief and development activities including HIV/AIDS control through the U.S. President’s Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). (Tuoi Tre – Youth Sept 29)
