Project Yes+ for Young MSM Living With HIV in Vietnam

Adaptation of Project Yes+ to Improve Mental Health and Reduce HIV-related Stigma Among Adolescent and Young Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV in Vietnam

In Vietnam, adolescent and young men who have sex with men (AYMSM) are among those most affected by HIV, and they also experience significant HIV-related mental health and stigma challenges. The study team proposes to adapt Project YES+ to address both mental health and internalized HIV stigma among AYMSM living with HIV in Vietnam. This research will build local capacity and develop networks for collaborative research on mental health and stigma in this population between Vietnam, Zambia and the United States.

The specific aims of this proposal are to (1) adapt Project YES+ to create To-Hieu (I understand) to improve mental health and internalized HIV stigma for AYMSM living with HIV in Vietnam and (2) examine acceptability and feasibility of To-Hieu among AYMSM living with HIV in Vietnam through a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 16-24 years old Vietnamese;
• assigned male sex at birth and identifying as male;
• anal intercourse with another man in the last 12 months;
• HIV positive status and currently receiving ART at the study sites;
• currently living in Hanoi and not moving in the next 12 months;
• at least a score of 5 on either the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) or Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7 (GAD-7)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Being currently enrolled in another HIV intervention;
• Severe psychotic disorders or other interfering problems that require specialty care