Enhancing reproductive health knowledge for adolescents in the highland areas of Yen Bai

Workshop to share project results on improving sexual and reproductive health for adolescents.

On March 12, Save the Children, in collaboration with Yen Bai’s health sector, organized a workshop to share the results of the project to improve reproductive and sexual health for adolescents in Yen Bai province..

Dr. Tran Van Hien, Deputy Director of Yen Bai Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, stated that the project's goal is to improve reproductive health for adolescents aged 15-19, with indirect beneficiaries including parents, grandparents, caregivers, healthcare workers, and teachers. The project is implemented over 20 months, from July 2023 to March 2025, in Mu Cang Chai and Van Chan districts.

Mr. Tran Đang Khoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Maternal and Child Health under the Ministry of Health, stated that education on reproductive and sexual health for adolescents is a very important issue for Vietnam at present. As society and technology develop, information is updated very quickly, making it necessary to have education and communication efforts directed at people in this age group.

For adolescents and young people, issues such as early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections are consequences that will have a great impact on their future, especially for young girls, as they may face infertility and difficulties in having children later in life…

The project model implemented in Yen Bai is an excellent intervention that needs to be expanded, not only across Yen Bai province but also nationwide. This project can be integrated into local programs, enhancing the role of schools, families, and youth organizations, with particular emphasis on the role of adolescents themselves, who need to develop awareness and take action in caring for their reproductive health..

Regarding the project to improve reproductive and sexual health for adolescents in Yen Bai province, the project aims to raise awareness, improve behaviors, and enhance access to reproductive and sexual health services for adolescents, particularly in remote areas and ethnic minority communities in Yen Bai province. The project has implemented various activities in Mu Cang Chai and Van Chan districts.

Reproductive health education programs are conducted in schools through youth club models and extracurricular communication events, providing opportunities for students to engage in open discussions and access knowledge proactively and practically.

Community-based reproductive health education efforts have also been strengthened through parent clubs in villages, local communication events, and the integration of adolescent reproductive health topics into village meetings. These activities help parents and community members overcome psychological barriers and discuss reproductive health issues for adolescents more openly, a topic previously considered sensitive.

In addition, the project focuses on training teachers and healthcare workers to improve their counseling and support capabilities for adolescents, ensuring that they can seek assistance from reliable sources.

Furthermore, the provision of youth-friendly reproductive health services at local healthcare facilities has been strengthened, making it easier for adolescents to access counseling and support safely and effectively.

To date, after nearly two years of project implementation, key indicators regarding knowledge and behaviors related to reproductive and sexual health in the target areas have shown clear and positive changes compared to previous levels.

Specifically, the percentage of adolescents with basic knowledge of reproductive and sexual health increased from 32% to 83%; the percentage of adolescents with an understanding of gender equality rose from 70% to 91%; the percentage of adolescents accepting modern contraceptive methods increased from 63% to 80%; and the percentage of adolescents with access to reproductive and sexual health services surged from 24% to 88%.

Ms. Le Thi Hong Van, Director of the Yen Bai Department of Health, highly praised the effectiveness of the project. Despite its relatively short duration, the project has brought about positive changes for the target groups. Upon reassessment, there has been a noticeable increase in knowledge, behavioral changes, and clearer, more positive future orientations.

Ms. Le Thi Thanh Huong, Country Director of Save the Children in Vietnam, stated that the collaboration between local entities has contributed to the project’s remarkable achievements. These results demonstrate that investing in education and healthcare for adolescents is one of the key solutions to safeguarding the future health of the younger generation.

According to Mr. Tran Đang Khoa, regarding the age group for interventions, children today are experiencing puberty earlier, sometimes as young as 10-11 years old. Therefore, interventions in reproductive health education need to expand the target age group, starting from an average age of 11 and above.

At the workshop, Save the Children and its partners in Yen Bai also expressed their desire to further expand the project model with the participation of government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to ensure sustainability and long-term accessibility for adolescents, particularly in disadvantaged areas of Yen Bai and other mountainous provinces in northern Vietnam.