Raising awareness about pre-marital health check-ups among young people

It is estimated that every year in Vietnam, about 22,000 – 30,000 babies are born with birth defects. Among the malformations, there are common diseases such as: Down, Edwards syndrome, neural tube defects, congenital hypothyroidism, G6PD enzyme deficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, severe congenital hemolysis and other diseases. genetic diseases, other birth defects. These malformations can be detected and intervened in time, avoiding serious consequences after performing pre-marital health checks as well as screening before and after the baby is born.

Counseling, general screening to enhance detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the community for people in Muong Lat district. Ms. Nguyen Thi Loc, Head of Population Division, Sub-Department of Population and Family Planning, said: Pre-marital health check-up has many benefits, limiting the incidence of birth defects. Congenital defects inherited from parents, typically hemolytic anemia. Besides, the pre-marital health check will help to promptly treat sexually transmitted diseases; help doctors to assess fertility and support the treatment of reproductive-related diseases in a timely manner. However, indifference to pre-marital health check-ups is a limitation of the majority of young people today. In fact, many people have long been afraid of getting a medical check-up before marriage, because they are afraid that if they find out the disease will affect the happiness of the couple, some people even think that they only have to suspect each other. . All these thoughts have invisibly created barriers, making the meaning of pre-marital health check-ups a fear and obsession for many young people. Aware of the important role and practical significance of pre-marital health check-ups, over the years, the Provincial Department of Population and Family Planning has implemented many activities to raise awareness about health for young people. including the model “Pre-marital health examination and counseling”. Up to now, the model has been expanded to 46 communes in 8 districts: Ba Thuoc, Lang Chanh, Nhu Xuan, Thuong Xuan, Dong Son, Ha Trung, Trieu Son, Thieu Hoa, attracting more than 1,700 people in the age group. and youth participate in activities. In order to promote the model effectively, the Provincial Sub-Department of Population and Family Planning has directed the district health centers to guide the health stations to coordinate with mass organizations, especially the Women’s Union and the Youth Union, to establish The club serves as a place to propagate the meaning and importance of pre-marital counseling and medical examination. Not only promoting propaganda, the model also organizes free medical check-ups for couples who are about to get married, especially, giving priority to those from poor and disadvantaged households. Thereby, couples will be given a general health check, tested for hepatitis B, and consulted if they need a more in-depth examination on reproductive health (SS). As a result, the models have really become a bridge, helping young people to exchange, exchange and consult on issues related to reproductive health/family planning, heterosexual friendship, love, and sex. safety, prevention of unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS and issues to know before marriage. Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai, Binh Luong commune (Thu Xuan) shared, through pre-marital health club activities, seminars and knowledge counseling on gender, reproductive health, marriage and family… , I have accumulated more knowledge about reproductive health care and the need for pre-marital health checks. Therefore, when she was about to get married, she actively asked her boyfriend to go to a medical facility for a health check. Talking to Mr. Nguyen Van Thang, Director of the Provincial Sub-Department of Population and Family Planning, it is known: This is a practical model, helping many young people have the opportunity to access knowledge about pre-marital health care. At the same time, the model has also contributed to raising awareness of the Party committees and authorities at all levels about the work of population and family planning, and reproductive health/family planning care for adolescents and young adults. The model has held hundreds of seminars, attracting thousands of participants; organize propaganda conferences on reproductive health and premarital health for district and commune population steering committees and officials in charge of population and family planning in the districts in which the model is deployed and coordinated health centers. with the Committees of Population and Family Planning of the communes and townships to organize health check-ups and counseling on the risk of giving birth to children with disabilities or deformities for couples preparing for marriage; hepatitis B testing and ultrasound for couples preparing to get married; establish pre-marital health clubs and maintain activities once a quarter to exchange knowledge about healthy male and female love, safe sex, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, suitable contraceptive methods, safe abortion… Through the activities that helped young people become more aware of the benefits of pre-marital health care, many of them actively sought out Go to a medical facility to check your health before getting married. In the coming time, along with the implementation of the pre-marital health examination and counseling model, the Provincial Department of Population and Family Planning will continue to focus resources and effectively implement projects to improve quality. population, building and consolidating a network of information, counseling and RH/FP care services so that more and more young people know and come to the pre-marital health examination and counseling model. From there, equip yourself with knowledge about love, marriage, family, reproductive health care… to create a happy life for yourself and your family.