Proposal

Mantra 

Helping Vietnamese youth learn reproductive health through app, encouraging proactive health monitoring and community engagement

Mission

Memorii aims to change misconceptions and increase understanding about reproductive health concerns, both mental and physical, by serving as a supportive companion. It also provides solutions and support for the younger generation in Vietnam to take care of their own and their family’s reproductive health, both emotionally and physically.

Vision

Memorii aims to develop into a project that strives towards a society where reproductive health is seen as a top priority issue, and where everyone has access to and can change their misconceptions about reproductive health. It will provide care and mental health support services by utilizing the latest scientific and technological advancements to help people care about reproductive health for themselves and those around them.

Target customer

Young people aged 15 – 24 years old, this is the age group that needs attention in terms of access to information, services and methods of care, prevention and protection of reproductive health.

Core value

Empathy: Demonstrate empathy and concern for individuals facing health and reproductive challenges.

Accessibility: Ensure that healthcare and reproductive services are available to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.

Technology: Provide evidence-based information, constantly updating with scientific advancements, and utilizing cutting-edge technology.

Action: Raise awareness about reproductive health, challenge misconceptions, and prioritize happiness within society.

Social Challenge 

Adolescents and young adults (A&Y) healthy physical and mental development is largely influenced by their sexual and reproductive health (SRH). This is significant because it gives nations with educated and healthy labour forces the chance to influence their economic future. Vietnam merely incorporates AYSRH into general policies, strategies, and plans on A&Y, population, and reproductive health; it does not have a distinct, all-inclusive strategy or plan. The evidence shows that despite numerous efforts to provide information, education, communication, and service delivery by Vietnam’s Ministry of Health (MOH) and other stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Education and Labor Unions, Khanh Chi et al. (2021), A&Y’s knowledge and skills on SRH remain limited; Large-scale implementation of sexual and reproductive health education has not occurred; offering friendly services and information about SRH is insufficient to address the varied needs of A&Y. Concerning circumstances involving teenagers and young adults, including early sexual activity, risky sexual behaviour, unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and the possibility of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, have not improved, particularly in rural and remote areas, industrial zones, and among underprivileged populations (Khanh Chi et al., 2021). Researchers Ha et al. (2024) found that participants’ ages ranged from 16.3 to 16.3. 42.7% of people hold false beliefs regarding reproductive health, while 64.1% of the public lacks a broad understanding of the topic. Thus, dangerous sex is the product of ignorance and bad attitudes. Teenagers who engage in risky sexual behaviour have an extremely high rate of pregnancy outcomes (90.3%).

Findings indicated limited access to sexual health knowledge, the exclusion of young people from mainly adult-focused sexual and reproductive health services in minority ethnic communities and the prevalence of cultural beliefs and practices that negatively affected young people’s sexual and reproductive health. The intersection of ethnicity, age and gender places Vietnamese ethnic minority girls at risk, as everyday practices informed by culture and tradition curtail their access to the limited sexual and reproductive health information and services available in their communities.

Societal and familial expectations and economic circumstances also influence reproductive decision-making. WLHA often encountered substandard healthcare during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Stigma and lack of provider attentiveness resulted in cases where women were denied pain relief and other medical services. Communication breakdowns failed to administer antiretroviral therapy for newborns. Motherhood for WLHA was shadowed by concerns for not only their health but also the well-being of their children, as HIV stigma affected their children at school and in society as well. Many WLHA highlighted the constructive or destructive role that family members could play in their childbirth decision-making and caregiving experiences.

Social Solution

Through studies on adolescents and young people in Vietnam related to access to education, behaviour, and conduct, there is growing interest in the field of reproductive health care, but it is still at the level of academic knowledge acquisition in the classroom and society. This is also a serious social issue, as these two groups make up a large part of society. They are in an important stage of development and are a curious group that likes to experiment. Behaviors and habits related to sexual health such as unsafe sex, and sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS and syphilis, etc. are high among these groups. Therefore, comprehensive solutions and coordination are needed from the government, schools, families, and the community to promote awareness, and provide information, skills, and a safe environment to support adolescents and young people in accessing and practising good reproductive health care.

Our project aims to be a companion to young people in their development and raise awareness about reproductive health. By providing information and addressing sensitive issues, we want to help them feel confident and comfortable with themselves, their families, and the community. Memorii is a civilized sharing community that provides and exchanges information about reproductive health and sexual relationships. Our goal is to help young people effectively access and utilize relevant information and resources, thereby increasing their openness to addressing these issues.

Contribution to UN goals 

Memorii aligns with Goal 3, which is good health and well-being, particularly  3.7, which aims at ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes by 2030. The project also adapts to the 3.3.1 goal of the United Nations, focusing on reducing the number of new HIV infections. Along with that, Memorii solves the 5.6.1. and 5.6.2 objectives, which are related to the proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use and reproductive health care and the number of countries with laws and regulations that guarantee full and equal access to women and men aged 15 years and older to sexual and reproductive health care, information and education

References

Khanh Chi, H., Thanh Thuy, H., Thi Kim Oanh, L., Quynh Anh, T., Duc Vinh, N., Thi Xuan Hanh, N. and Thanh Huong, N. (2021) ‘The content and implementation of policies and programs on adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Vietnam: results and challenges.’ Health Services Insights, 14, p.11786329211037500.

Ha, N.T.T., Giang, D.T.T., Ha, D.H., Thuong, P.T.H., Ngoc, N.T.B. and Anh, N.D. (2024) ‘Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Reproductive Health Among Abortion Adolescents in Vietnam.’ Medical Archives, 78(2), p.139.

Le, T.M. and Yu, N. (2021) ‘Sexual and reproductive health challenges facing minority ethnic girls in Vietnam: a photovoice study.’ Culture, Health & Sexuality, 23(8), pp.1015-1033.

Nguyen, L.T., Le Giang, M., Nguyen, D.B., Nguyen, T.T. and Lin, C. (2024) ‘Unraveling reproductive and maternal health challenges of women living with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam: a qualitative study.’ Reproductive Health, 21(1), pp.1-9.