Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Services Among Young Women in Two Districts of Hanoi, Vietnam.

Abstract

Background and objective: While rapid economic development, urbanization, and investment in Vietnam's healthcare system have made sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services widely available in the past few decades, utilization of those services remains low. This study assessed the level of and factors associated with utilization of SRH services among young women in a peri-urban and a rural district of Hanoi, Vietnam.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with face-to-face interviews with 250 women aged 18-25 from two districts. The data were collected in 2022-2023.

Results: The overall SRH service utilization rate was found to be 43.6%, with rates of 33.9% in the peri-urban district and 53.7% in the rural district. Attitudes toward SRH service utilization were found to be more favorable in the rural district. The most-utilized SRH service components were gynecological examinations, contraception, and counseling, and most participants visited hospitals and private clinic facilities. Being married, having a high monthly income, and parental discussion of SRH were independently associated with utilization.

Conclusion and global health implications: The low utilization rate indicates a need to address the key barriers to access in future health service interventions. Promoting more affordable SRH care at high-level facilities and equipping parents and community members with the resources to communicate effectively with their children about SRH should be a key focus in improving SRH utilization among young women.