In YFS clinics, young people are offered affordable, high quality information and services in clinics where their privacy is respected and providers offer friendly, non-judgmental and confidential care. In each health facility, the project partners set up a new service called "Green Question Service" (Dau hoi xanh-GQS) for those under the age of 25. The GQS facilities include a waiting area, a separate counseling room for young clients and, depending upon the available space, another room for medical examinations. Various information, education and communication (IEC) materials that specifically target adolescents are available to young people in waiting and counseling areas. Clients receive counseling on RH and, if necessary, may receive a physical and/or gynecological examination, laboratory tests, ultrasounds.
A social marketing (SM) campaign was also undertaken to promote and advertise the newly established youth friendly services. The SM campaigns were also used to reach out to local authorities and collaborating agencies to encourage them to participate in promoting the activities. Outreach to schools, pharmacies,
bookstores and community centers, and use of media for social marketing of the new services were components of the project. The project assessment in 2003 sowed that social marketing was highly effective in attracting youth clients to GQS.
As a complement to the clinic-based activities, a number of peer educators (PEs) were trained in selected schools and universities located near the GQS units. Health providers from the clinics provided training and ongoing assistance for PEs in the community. After completing their training, these peer educators participated in IEC activities, organized health education sessions and provided counseling to young people in community-based settings.
Youth friendly services were first introduced in six clinical sites in three provinces. As a pilot, services were tested at province, district and commune levels. Based on a successful independent review, the MOH approved the expansion of YFS to 29 service delivery sites in 17 provinces.
