Question

Components

Descriptions

1. Organization and community description/context

The trainees will be based in Vietnam northern province of Ha Noi. It will be facilitated and provided by G-Link. The G-Link is a community-based organization that was established by Lê Minh Thành, a trained community health worker (Glink Ha Noi, 2019). The main objective for this training event is to provide and improve HIV/AIDS testing services in close proximity to the community, especially in most vulnerable segments. This training event will cover communication skills and counseling, which are critical in enhancing the awareness creation and testing of HIV/AIDS.

Background Information: Vietnam is a country that has, for a long time, been classified as a developing country. However, it has experienced healthcare problems as it has been transitioning to one of the fastest-growing economies. The country has a population of about 97 million, and 8.4% of the population lives below the poverty line (Diem & Van Hoang, 2018). Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) in Vietnam, in association with the government, are advocating for HIV lay testing and self-testing as a way of reducing HIV new infections. Residents in the rural provinces in northern Vietnam, especially the LGBT+ community, are stigmatized and hence often shy away from seeking HIV testing services from the health facilities. These residents are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS due to risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex and illicit drug use. The silence by the LGBT+ community in rural areas has exposed many to the risk of HIV/AIDS as there is little knowledge on the prevention and management of the disease.

2. Problem/training need statement

Communities living in areas with few HIV testing centers are faced with challenges, especially of lacking the necessary care when HIV positive. This is especially when the issues cannot be openly talked about due to the cultural challenges. This leaves many people exposed to the risk of infection due to ignorance (Bui et al., 2018). Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Social Workers (SWs) provide essential services directly to the communities where hospitals and health facilities are not able to reach. Therefore, this training program aims targeting up to ten teams (consisting of 2-3 members/team) of CHWs/CWs, which will be based in the northern province of Ha Noi for awareness creation, testing, preventive measures and control of HIV/AIDS. The trainees will be educated on the proper testing methods to be utilized as well as counseling residents living with HIV/AIDS. The training event will also focus on the prevention of new infections through establishment of proper preventive measures, i.e. efforts to ensure those who are involved in high risk sexual behaviors use HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) pills. After the successful completion of training, trainees will be encouraged with initiatives to create awareness, reduce stigmatization and support people living with HIV/AIDS and the preventive strategies that can be applied at the community level, since every individual in these communities is considered highly vulnerable to the disease.

3. Characteristics of trainees, job/role description

Role#1: Community health workers (4 per team) total: 40 positions

Description: community health workers are an integral part of the project. They will be responsible for referring community members to the testing stations. This requires that they should be able to coordinate and manage the flow of people as well as assisting individuals in finding relevant information. They should also have a good understanding of the initiative and the local language so that they answer the questions of people as they wait for testing. Apart from this, they are required to provide appointments and referrals. They should also be able to carry out HIV lay testing and educating people on self-testing

Desired Characteristics: A person with excellent communication skills, polite, friendly, prepared to work in a team, and flexible in their schedule.

Eligible: Males and females with college diplomas

Role #2: Social Workers (5 in a team) Total: 50 positions

Description: The social workers will be involved in teaching the communities about HIV/AIDS, prevention measures, and management. They will also be involved in counseling, especially those who have tested HIV positive.

Desired characteristics: An individual with good communication skills, patience, charming, focused, ability to work in a team and respect for the coworkers.

Eligibility: Male and females with a bachelor’s degree or diploma in social work.

Role #3: Province Administrator (1 position)

Description: this is the person who will be responsible for coordinating all the activities in the province. This includes ensuring the supplies are delivered to all the ten villages; provide feedback to the Glink and weekly data.

Desired Characteristics: a good team leader, motivator, excellent communication skills, proper planning, and organization skills.

Eligibility: A male or female with experience in leadership and a degree in business administration.

4. Recruitment process explanation

The applicants will be sought through direct applications or volunteer applications in G-Link. The communication on successful applicants who qualify for interviews will be made directly using emails and phone numbers. All the applicants must be willing to work in the northern province for one year. The applicants for role #3 must be critical thinkers and ethical decision-makers, and this must be demonstrated during the interview.

(Any other relevant information)