V-STAR - Vietnam Research Training Program on Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance

Vietnam Research Training Program on Sexually Transmitted Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (V-STAR): Summary/Abstract The proposed training program will train PhD and postdoctoral fellows in sexually transmitted infections and antimicrobial resistance. Sexually transmitted diseases remain a serious public health issue in Vietnam in particular syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Untreated sexually transmitted infections may result in severe health consequences including chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and increased acquisition and spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Increases in sexually transmitted infections over the past decade have been associated with changes in behaviors associated with increased transmission including a greater number of sexual contacts, decreased condom use, and increased sexual concurrency associated with Vietnam’s rapid socioeconomic transition and globalization. Additionally, the introduction of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has resulted in similar trends in groups using PrEP, such as men who have sex with men and sex workers. Furthermore, the continued and rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a severe threat to population and public health and the ability to treat and prevent infections. The training program will support the integration of research on sexually transmitted infections, antimicrobial resistance and behavioral science. In this proposal, we will train local early-career scientists in three focus areas (epidemiology, microbiology, and behavioral sciences) to foster the next generation of researchers and policy makers to control and prevent sexually transmitted infections and antimicrobial resistance. The overall goals of the proposed V-STAR program are to: 1) Build and maintain an integrated research training program in applied infectious disease epidemiology, microbiology, and behavioral sciences with multiple academic and research institutions in Vietnam in partnership with the University of Southern California. 2) Support and conduct pilot research studies to enable successful future grant applications for independent investigators in the areas of sexually transmitted infections and antimicrobial resistance