The Context

Rapidly changing economic circumstances and exposure to different lifestyles are impacting the behaviour of young people in Lao PDR, especially in urban areas. There are indications that adolescents are increasingly engaging in pre-marital sex and that, due to a lack of access to information and services, many are resorting to illegal and dangerous abortions, or contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Although there is currently a low HIV prevalence rate (0.06%), of the 1,094 people in Lao PDR known to have been infected since 1990, 37% are aged 10-29 years. Due to limited testing facilities in the country as well as increased risk behaviour, it is assumed that current figures are under-reported. Most transmission to date has been through male-female unprotected intercourse. One of the major challenges facing all those in the reproductive health sector is the need to overcome conservative attitudes towards services for youth and to increase the availability of those services.

The Project

The Vientiane Youth Centre was established in 2001 under the first phase of the regional Reproductive Health Initiative project, funded by the EU. The second phase supports the youth centre to continue the provision of adolescent reproductive health (ARH) training, confidential counseling and youth-friendly clinical services. Project beneficiaries are young people living in Vientiane Capital. The centre is now well established and regarded positively by the authorities. Efforts are being made through outreach activities to target the needs of vulnerable adolescents, especially those not currently accessing the centre. The technical support unit, based in the UNFPA office, is staffed with two experts and provides assistance to Lao Women's Union in youth-friendly clinical services provision, supervising RH and life skills training, counseling, developing a Peer Education programme, monitoring and evaluation and planning and financial management. In addition, the youth centre also provides recreational activities to attract youth such as traditional music, dance classes, Japanese language classes, Tekondo, aerobics and vocational classes such as dress-making and hair dressing. Youth centre volunteers also participate in many national and local advocacy and promotional activities through drama performances.

Update on Achievements

• Six youth workers were trained in ARH, Training of Trainers methodology, the Peer Education Approach and ARH counselling skills, and clinical staff were trained in the provision of youth-friendly services and counselling skills.

• ARH information was disseminated through regular training courses as well as outreach activities and peer educators. About 1,400 people were trained in ARH and life skills courses at the centre.

• The special clinic at the youth centre provides clinical and counselling services to young people. The number of clients increased from around 200 in 2001 to a current figure of more than 2,500.

• A referral and counselling network was established and launched in July 2004 to improve the quality of services to young people in Vientiane . The network covers major hospitals in Vientiane as well as the drug rehabilitation centre and the National Dermatology Centre.

Official Facts

Site : Vientiane Youth Centre, Vientiane Capital

Duration : July 2003 - March 2006 (33 months)

Executing agency: UNFPA

Implementing Agency : Lao Women's Union , Vientiane Capital

Financial Facts

EU/UNFPA: US$ 118,892

OXFAM: US$ 36,576

LWU: US$ 19,800

Total Budget: US$ 175,268

Conditions