The Vietnamese Intravenous Drug Use Study is a collaborative project between the Macfarlane Burnet Centre for Medical Research, North Richmond Community Health and CEH.
The study began in late 1994 and aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to – and prevalence of – human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Vietnamese injecting drug users in Victoria. Community consultations were held with approximately 20 representatives of the Vietnamese community in the early phases of the project. These consultations revealed unanimous support for the study.
The study is characterised by the recruitment and training of ‘peer researchers’ who piloted and distributed 100 questionnaires through their own networks and through ‘snowballing’ techniques.
One of the main aims of the project is to use the information gathered to assist in developing culturally appropriate educational resources for distribution among Vietnamese injecting drug users. The project was completed in 1996.