Knowledge of STIs and blood-borne viruses among Vietnamese men in metropolitan Sydney

To describe the sexual health knowledge of a group of Vietnamese men living in inner urban Sydney in order to assist with future program planning.

Data were collected through telephone interviews conducted in Vietnamese using a structured questionnaire. Data were obtained from 499 of 761 eligible men contacted, giving a response rate of 66%. The data were weighted to be consistent with the age distribution of Vietnamese males in the area. A comparison was done with a published national telephone study of sexual behaviour and knowledge.

Low knowledge levels about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses were found, compared with data from a published national telephone study. The factors associated with higher mean knowledge scores on multiple regression were: having 10 or more lifetime female sexual partners, being hepatitis B vaccinated, knowing someone with HIV, having received information about HIV in Vietnam in the past 12 months, having received information about HIV or STIs in the past 12 months from a GP. Knowledge about chlamydia was particularly poor.

Targeted, community-wide, awareness-raising campaigns and health care worker education is required to improve the Vietnamese community's knowledge of STIs, with particular emphasis on improving chlamydia knowledge.