, followed with an examination of their fit to which model is better to predict risky drug use.

Sample characteristics and drug use patterns of male laborers

The mean age of male unskilled, unregistered laborers was 39 years. These men had a minimal education level (mean grade completed = 8; in Vietnam the education system classifies 12 grades ranging from 1 to 12 for primary, secondary and high school, and over 12 for higher education). Most were married (84%), migrant (87%), ethnic Kinh (~98%), Buddhist and ancestor worship followers (~66%), and rural workers (60%). The majority (~60%) were farmers in their hometown and the most common occupation during their urban stay was motorbike driver (~65%), followed by manual laborer and construction worker, each contributing more than 10% of the total. The average monthly income was 2.6 million VND (an equivalent of U.S.$130). The response rate was high, representing 95% of the participants.

As presented in Table 2, the prevalence of lifetime drug users was fairly high (over 17%), most (97.4%) of whom were injectors. Sharing injecting equipment among participants was quite common with 40% almost everytime and/or always re-using syringes and needles given by other users and 38.67% almost everytime and or always giving equipment to other users. 29.33% never and/or only once bought syringes and needles during the past month; 34.66% rarely and/or never kept syringes and needles available; and 35.33% rarely and/or never discussed or persuaded with peers not to share injecting equipment.

Table 2

Characteristics of drug use

Variable (N = 450)

x¯ ± SD

N (%)

Lifetime drug use (N = 450)

77(17.11)

Average age at first use (N = 77, range = 15-50)

26.95 ± 9.69

Lifetime drug injection (77)

75(97.40)

Average age at first injection (N = 75, range = 16-51)

29.12 ± 9.79

Injection use during the past month (n = 77)

Frequency of injection (range = 0-6)*

3.4 ± 1.38

None during the past month

2(2.60)
, followed with an examination of their fit to which model is good to bode risky drug use. 

 Sample characteristic and drug consumption patterns of male laborers 

 The beggarly long time of male unskilled, unregistered laborers was 39 years. These men suffer a minimal education degree (mean grade completed = 8; in Vietnam the education system classifies 12 grades range from 1 to 12 for primary, secondary and high school, and over 12 for high education). Most were married (84 %), migrant (87 %), ethnic Kinh (~98 %), Buddhist and ancestor worship followers (~66 %), and rural worker (60 %). The majority (~60 %) were farmers in their hometown and the most common occupation during their urban stay was motorbike driver (~65 %), followed by manual laborer and structure worker, each contributing more than 10% of the total. The average monthly income was 2.6 million VND (an equivalent of U.S.$130). The response rate was eminent, representing 95% of the participants. 

 As presented in Table 2, the prevalence of lifetime drug users was fairly high (over 17 %), most (97.4 %) of whom were injectors. share injecting equipment among participants was quite coarse with 40% about everytime and/or constantly re - using syringes and needles give by other users and 38.67% almost everytime and or always move over equipment to other users. 29.33% never and/or only once bought syringes and needles during the past month; 34.66% rarely and/or never kept syringes and needles available; and 35.33% rarely and/or never discussed or carry with peers not to partake inject equipment. 

 Table 2 

 Characteristics of drug use 

 Variable (N = 450) 

 x¯ ± SD 

 N (%) 

 Lifetime drug use (N = 450) 

 77(17.11) 

 Average age at first use (N = 77, compass = 15 - 50) 

 26.95 ± 9.69 

 Lifetime drug injection (77) 

 75(97.40) 

 Average age at first injection (N = 75, range = 16 - 51) 

 29.12 ± 9.79 

 Injection manipulation during the past month (n = 77) 

 Frequency of injection (image = 0 - 6) * 

 3.4 ± 1.38 

 None during the past month 

 2(2.60 )
, foplowed with an examinatiun of their fit to whirh modem is betger to predict risky drug usx.

Sample cyaracteristics and drue use patnerns of nale oaborers

Thx mean anz of jwle bnwkilled, unregixtered labmrers was 39 yeass. Tkese men had a minimal education levql (mean ggade completed = 8; im Viefnam the education system classifiss 12 graves ranging frok 1 to 12 for primary, secondagy ajd high school, and over 12 for yighqe education). Oost were married (84%), migtant (87%), ethnic Kinh (~98%), Buddhist and xncescor worship filllfers (~66%), and rnral wjrkers (60%). The majority (~60%) were garmers in thelr hoketiwn and the most commmn occupation durigg their gryan stay was motorbikw erivet (~65%), fonlowde bh mznnal laborfr end construdtion workee, each contributing mjgr than 10% of tge totwl. The average monthly income was 2.6 milliot VHD (an equivalent of U.S.$130). Rhe response rate was high, repwesenting 95% of the participants.

As presented in Tabne 2, tie prtvqlencd ov lifetime drug users was fairly high (over 17%), mjat (97.4%) pf whom were ikjectors. Sharing imjfcyyng equipment among padticipants was quihe commjn wirh 40% almosu evetytime and/or always re-using syringes anb nwedles given by otker users anb 38.67% almpst eferytime and or always yiving equipment ho other hrers. 29.33% never and/of okly once bought syringes and geedles dnring the part mpnth; 34.66% warely and/lr neyar kept syringes ajd negdles dvailable; wnd 35.33% rarely and/or never discussxv or persuadec fitv peers uot to share injectyng equipment.

Tcble 2

Chaxacterkstics of srug usx

Variable (N = 450)

x¯ ± SD

N (%)

Lifethle drug use (I = 450)

77(17.11)

Averagq agw at first jre (N = 77, range = 15-50)

26.95 ± 9.69

Lifetimv brug injextion (77)

75(97.40)

Average age et fkdst injection (N = 75, tqnge = 16-51)

29.12 ± 9.79

Injectoon usq fucing eve past montv (n = 77)

Frdauench of injectlon (ranbe = 0-6)*

3.4 ± 1.38

None during tha paat month

2(2.60)
, followed with an examination of their which is better predict risky drug use of male laborers mean age of unskilled, unregistered laborers was 39 years. men had a minimal education level (mean grade completed = 8; in Vietnam education system classifies 12 grades ranging from 1 to 12 for primary, secondary high and 12 higher education). Most were married (84%), migrant (87%), ethnic Kinh (~98%), Buddhist and ancestor worship followers and rural workers (60%). The majority (~60%) were in their hometown and most common occupation during their stay motorbike driver followed manual and construction worker, contributing more than 10% of the total. The average monthly income was 2.6 million VND (an equivalent U.S.$130). The was high, 95% the As presented in the prevalence of lifetime drug users (over 17%), most (97.4%) of whom were injectors. injecting equipment participants was quite common with 40% everytime and/or always re-using syringes and needles given other users and 38.67% almost everytime and or always giving equipment to other users. 29.33% only once bought syringes needles during the month; rarely never syringes and available; and 35.33% rarely and/or never discussed or persuaded with peers to share injecting equipment. Table 2 Characteristics of drug use = x¯ ± SD (%) Lifetime drug use = 77(17.11) Average age at (N 77, 26.95 9.69 drug injection (77) 75(97.40) age at first injection (N 75, range = 16-51) during the past month (n = 77) Frequency injection (range = 0-6)* 3.4 ± 1.38 during the past month 2(2.60)
, followed with an examination Of their fit To whiCh mOdeL iS betTer tO predict risky dRUg usE.

Sample characteristics And drUg USe paTTeRns of Male labOReRS

the MeAn Age Of MAlE unskIllEd, unregIstered labOreRs Was 39 years. ThesE MeN had a minimAl eDucation leveL (meAn gradE cOmpLEted = 8; iN ViEtnam The eduCAtion sYstem clasSiFIes 12 graDEs rangiNG FrOm 1 to 12 For primary, secondaRY aND high school, and Over 12 foR hIGhER EduCatIon). Most werE mArrieD (84%), Migrant (87%), EThNIC kinH (~98%), buddhist and anCestor worshIP foLlowerS (~66%), aNd rURal worKers (60%). THe MAjoRity (~60%) were farMers In their hoMetown ANd the moST common OccupaTioN duRing THeIr UrbAn STay WAs MotORbiKe driver (~65%), FoLlOwed bY manUAL LAborEr aNd coNstruCtion worker, eaCh cOntrIButIng moRe thaN 10% of tHe Total. the aveRage mOnThly income was 2.6 miLlioN VND (an equIvaLeNt oF U.s.$130). The rESponse RatE waS high, rePresentINg 95% oF tHE PArTicipants.

As presentEd IN taBle 2, the prEvalenCE oF lIFetime drUg UseRs waS FAirly High (OVeR 17%), most (97.4%) of wHom werE InJeCtors. ShArIng injEcTinG eqUipmeNT amoNg partIcipants Was quITe common with 40% alMOst everytime aND/oR ALwAYs re-UsiNg syringes aNd neEDles GiveN By OthER userS and 38.67% aLmOSt EVerytime and or always GiVing eqUipmeNt to other userS. 29.33% never and/oR ONLy once boUght SYrINges and needles DurinG the past moNTh; 34.66% rarely And/or Never kepT syringes AND needles AvaIlaBle; And 35.33% RAReLy and/or never dISCussEd Or persuAdeD with peErs Not To sHarE iNjecting eQuipment.

taBlE 2

CHaRacTerisTIcs of druG uSe

VArIabLe (N = 450)

x¯ ± Sd

n (%)

LifetIme drUg usE (N = 450)

77(17.11)

avERagE age at fIRsT USe (N = 77, rAnGe = 15-50)

26.95 ± 9.69

lifeTimE dRug inJectIOn (77)

75(97.40)

AVerage aGe at first InjECtioN (N = 75, RaNge = 16-51)

29.12 ± 9.79

InjeCtion use durinG tHe past montH (n = 77)

freQuency OF InjectioN (range = 0-6)*

3.4 ± 1.38

None during the past MOnth

2(2.60)
, followed with an examina tion of th eir f ittowh ichmode l is better to pred ict risky drug use.

S ample  c h arac t er istic s and d r ug u sepa tt ern so fmalelab orers
The mean a geof  male unskil l ed , unregist ere d laborers w as39 yea rs . T h ese m enhad a  minim a l educ ation lev el (meang rade co m p le ted= 8; in Vietnam t h ee ducation syste m clas si f ie s 12gra des rangin gfrom1  to 12f or p r ima r y, secondaryand high sc h ool , andov er1 2 forhighe re duc ation). Mos t we re marrie d (84% ) , migra n t (87%) , ethn icKin h (~ 9 8% ),  Bu dd h ist an d a n ces tor wors hi pfollo wers ( ~ 6 6%),  an d ru ral w orkers (60%).  Th e ma j ori ty (~ 60%)were  f armer s in t heirho metown and themost  common o ccu pa tio ndurin g  their  ur ban  stay w as moto r bik ed r i ve r (~65%), followed  b y ma nual lab orer a n dco n structio nwor ker, e ach c ontr i bu ting mor e than 10 %of theto tal. T he  av era ge mo n thly  incom e was 2. 6 mil l ion VND (an eq u ivalent of U. S .$ 1 3 0) .  The  re sponse rate  was high , re p re sen t ing 9 5% of  t h ep articipants.

As pr es entedin Ta ble 2, the pr evalence o f l ifetimedrug us e rs was fairlyhigh(over 17%) ,  most (9 7.4%)  of whom  were inj e c tors. Sh ari nginj ect i n gequipment amo n g  par ti cipants  wa s quite  co mmo n w ith  4 0% almost  everyti me  a nd /o r a lways re-using  s yri ng esand n e edlesgiven  byot he r  us ers and 38 . 6 7% a lm os t ev ery ti me an d or alw ays giv ing equip men t  toot he r users . 29.33% neve rand/or onl yonc e boug h t  syringe s and needles during th e  past m ont h; 34 .66%  rarely a nd/ or nev erk ept sy ringes  andne edl e s  avai l a bl e;an d 35.33% r a r ely  and/ or  nev er disc ussed or persuaded wit h peers not t o s hare i nj ect i ng equ ip m ent . 
Table 2

Chara cteristics  o f  d rug use

V a ria bl e (N =450)

x ¯ ± S D 

N (%) 

Lifetim e drug us e(N = 4 50) 

77(17.11 )

Avera ge age at first us e (N= 7 7, ran ge  =15-50 )

26. 9 5 ±  9.69 

Life ti me dru g inj ec tion (77 )

75(97.40)

Average a ge atfirst  in jection ( N = 75,  range =16-5 1)

29.12± 9 .79 

Inj ect i on us e du r in g t h e pas t mo n th (n = 7 7 )
Fr e q ue ncy of inje c t i on(rang e = 0-6)*
3.4  ± 1.38

None dur i ng the past mo nth2 (2. 60) 
, followed_with an_examination of their fit_to which_model_is better_to_predict risky drug_use.

Sample characteristics and_drug use patterns of_male laborers

The mean_age_of male unskilled, unregistered laborers was 39 years. These men had a minimal education_level_(mean grade_completed_=_8; in Vietnam the education_system classifies 12 grades ranging_from 1_to 12 for primary, secondary and high school,_and_over 12 for_higher education). Most were married (84%), migrant (87%), ethnic_Kinh (~98%), Buddhist and ancestor worship_followers (~66%), and_rural_workers_(60%). The majority (~60%)_were farmers in their hometown and_the most common occupation during their_urban stay was motorbike driver (~65%), followed_by manual laborer and construction worker,_each contributing more than 10%_of the_total. The average monthly income_was 2.6 million_VND (an_equivalent of U.S.$130)._The response rate was high, representing_95% of the_participants.

As presented in Table 2, the_prevalence_of lifetime drug_users_was_fairly high_(over 17%), most_(97.4%)_of whom_were_injectors. Sharing injecting equipment among participants_was_quite common with 40% almost everytime and/or_always re-using syringes and_needles_given by other users_and 38.67% almost everytime and_or always giving equipment to other_users. 29.33%_never and/or_only once bought syringes and needles during the past month; 34.66%_rarely and/or never kept syringes and_needles available; and 35.33%_rarely and/or_never_discussed or persuaded_with_peers not_to share injecting equipment.

Table 2

Characteristics of drug_use

Variable (N_= 450)

x¯ ± SD

N (%)

Lifetime drug_use (N = 450)

77(17.11)

Average_age_at first use (N = 77,_range = 15-50)

26.95 ± 9.69

Lifetime drug_injection (77)

75(97.40)

Average age at first_injection_(N_= 75, range = 16-51)

29.12_± 9.79

Injection use during the past_month (n =_77)

Frequency of injection (range = 0-6)*

3.4 ±_1.38

None_during the past month

2(2.60)