National survey on sexual and reproductive health among vietnamese young people
Background
Viet Nam has entered a demographic dividend period1, characterized by a large proportion of young people [1]. Data from the 2015 Population Change Survey revealed that the number of young people aged 10-24 in Viet Nam was 20.7 million, accounting for 22.68 percent of the total population [2]. In addition to these growing numbers, there have also been rapid changes in sexual norms and behaviors among Vietnamese youth. The Survey Assessment of Vietnamese Youth Round 1 (SAVY1) in 2003 and Round 2 (SAVY2) in 2009, for instance, indicated that the average age at first sex declined from 19.6 years in 2003 to 18.2 years in 2009, evidence that youth were tending to engage in sexual encounters at an earlier age [4]
In Viet Nam, limited information on adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health (SRH) has been made available through several surveys including SAVY, the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). However, these surveys did not focus on SRH among adolescents and young adults. There were some small-scale studies on adolescent and young people’s SRH have been conducted but the resulting data are not nationally representative.
The lack of quality data on adolescents and young adults has impeded the design and implementation of evidence-based policies and programs on youth development and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in particular. To address this policy information gap, a nationally representative study was needed to generate reliable national evidence on SRH knowledge, attitudes and practices among adolescents and youth, as well as associated factors such as demographic, social, cultural and economic characteristics and perceived attitudes and practices of health providers, teachers and parents. The survey’s findings are expected to inform the development and implementation of appropriate SRH policies and programs, ultimately contributing to the well-being of youth in Viet Nam.
The national survey was conducted by The Institute of Social and Medical Studies (ISMS) and the Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP).
Objectives
Overall objective
To conduct a nationally representative survey on sexual and reproductive health amongst young people aged 10-24 in Vietnam.
Specific objectives
Specific survey objectives were to collect information about adolescents and young adults, including:
- Socio-demographic characteristics;
- Knowledge of and attitudes toward sexual health;
- Knowledge of and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and reproductive tract infections;
- Sexual behavior;
- Pregnancy, abortion and childbearing experience;
- Unmet need for contraception;
- Seeking behaviors, accessibility and utilization of SRH information and services;
- Gender-based violence;
- Perceived gatekeeper support for SRH information and services.
Study design
The study employed a cross-sectional design with a multi-stage sampling method including four stages: 1) selecting provinces, 2) selecting districts, 3) selecting communes/wards in chosen districts and 4) selecting young people (10-24 years). The total sample size was 9,600 adolescents and young adults aged 10-24. Face-to-face interviews based on a structured questionnaire was the main method of data collection for this survey. A self-administered questionnaire was also used for sensitive topics.
Study setting and time
The study was conducted in 2016 across 8 provinces/cities including Hanoi, Hai Phong, Son La, Thanh Hoa, Dong Nai, Tien Giang, Dak Lak and Ho Chi Minh City.
Funding source and partners
The study was sponsored by the UNFPA and jointly conducted by the Institute of Social and Medical Studies (ISMS) and the Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP) in 2016, with technical assistance from national and international experts in study design, implementation, data analyses and report writing.