As part of Da Nang’s reproductive healthcare programme for adolescents, pre-marital reproductive health education has been delivered in some local districts since 2011.  The purpose is to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and minimise the risk of sexually transmitted diseases amongst adolescents.

Over the past 5 years, the educational programme has brought numerous benefits to young people, especially those who are soon to get married. 

Participants have been equipped with practical knowledge about married life and other essential soft skills.  In addition, they have been given access to reproductive healthcare consultancy services in order to help them gain an insight into the negative effects of unsafe sex which might lead to sexually transmitted and HIV/AIDS infections.

Participants at a pre-marital reproductive health education class

The Deputy Director of the Ngu Hanh Son District Medical Station, Dr Pham Van Dung, said “The pre-marital reproductive healthcare programme plays a vital role in helping young couples prepare for future married life.  In addition, this helps to reduce the risk of birth defects during pregnancy, which in turn reduces the maternal and infant mortality rates”. 

Dr Dung advised that local young people should acquire more practical knowledge about pre-marital health from local centres for reproductive health.  The doctor also stressed the need to publicise the programme across the city in order to raise public awareness of this issue amongst adolescents.

Ms Thai Thi My, a community staff member in Ngu Hanh Son District’s Hoa Quy Ward said, “In the first instance the programme failed to attract many participants due to psychological reasons.  However, thanks to the great efforts made by local relevant agencies and pre-marital clubs, the programme is now attracting a great deal of attention from local young people.  Most notably, the majority of the participants have stressed the need to expand this model into more districts across the city”.