Health and social situation of adolescents in Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract

Primary education in Vietnam is free and compulsory for five years. The majority of school-aged children continue into lower secondary school, but significant numbers drop out. This study investigated the health and social situation of adolescents aged 11-16 years (between primary education and legal employment age) to compare the situation of adolescents in school with those working, including possible gender differences. The data were collected by questionnaire on a randomly selected sample of adolescents, aged 11-16 years, living in Hanoi. A total of 1547 adolescents were interviewed. Adolescents from Hanoi were healthy, continuing their education, lived with parents, and only a few reported behaviour detrimental to their health. They knew about HIV, but their knowledge about prevention was poor. The working adolescents had moved to Hanoi to earn an income. The girls were staying mainly with relatives, while the boys lived with employers or in rented rooms. Very few were homeless and these were exposed to more risks to their health due to a more risky lifestyle and less knowledge about HIV prevention. For urban adolescents, their right to education, basic health and to be cared for by their parents was fulfilled. More of the rural adolescents had left school early, were responsible for their own daily life and were exposed to greater risks and a more risky lifestyle. The living and working conditions of these rural adolescents need further investigation and action to ensure their rights to welfare, development and health are met.