Huong Tra Health Center provides counseling and communication on reproductive health for women.

Change perceptions

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mao, a woman living in Huong Tra ward (formed by the merger of Tu Ha, Huong Van, and Huong Van wards) in Hue City, shared that she previously didn't understand much about reproductive health or family planning. She said, "I thought having children was a gift from God, and I didn't know how to be proactive, let alone how to take care of myself after childbirth." However, after attending a direct health information session at the local health station organized by local health officials , her understanding has changed.

"This was the first time I heard a thorough explanation about safe contraception methods, feminine hygiene, and the importance of regular health checkups. The doctor explained it clearly and in a friendly way, so I absorbed a lot of information. Now I know how to protect my health and avoid having children too close together to prevent negative impacts on both mother and child," added Ms. Mão.

Ms. Duong Thi Nu, Head of the Population, Communication and Health Education Department at Huong Tra Health Center, said that to raise women's awareness of reproductive health care, the unit has organized many communication campaigns integrating on-site service provision. In April 2025, the Center organized a breast cancer and cervical cancer screening and provided family planning services for women aged 15-49. As a result, many cases were detected early, increasing the chances of timely treatment, and helping women raise their awareness of family planning.

Regular health check-ups and treatment at health stations and health centers in Hue City also play an important role in the early detection of reproductive health-related diseases. Screening is carried out through clinical examination, risk factor assessment, basic laboratory tests, and with the support of the grassroots health network.

Improve knowledge and behaviors for disease prevention.

According to MSc. Dr. Ha Thi My Dung, Head of the Reproductive Health Department, Hue City Center for Disease Control (CDC), communication aimed at raising knowledge and changing behavior in the prevention and screening of cervical and breast cancer is identified as a key focus. Accordingly, Hue City CDC has actively developed communication materials tailored to each target group, paying attention to the cultural characteristics, customs, language, and socio-economic conditions of each region.

"We are simultaneously enhancing the direct communication capacity of grassroots healthcare workers and population collaborators, combining communication at the community level and at service delivery facilities, to create a sustainable and widespread impact," Dr. Dung said.

A highlight of the program series commemorating World Population Day (July 11th) was the training course on "Guidelines for Screening Gestational Diabetes" organized by the Hue City CDC. Over 40 grassroots healthcare workers participated in the training, focusing on topics such as: the causes, risk factors, and impacts of gestational diabetes; screening procedures from weeks 24-28 of pregnancy according to the Ministry of Health guidelines; glucose tolerance testing; and monitoring high-risk pregnancies. Participants were also equipped with skills in nutritional counseling, blood glucose management, inter-level coordination, and postpartum care.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Tran Kiem Hao, Director of the Hue City Department of Health, this year's World Population Day theme is "Reproductive Self-Determination in a Changing World," affirming the importance of empowering individuals, especially women and youth, to make voluntary and informed decisions about reproduction. This is particularly significant in the context of growing global challenges such as climate change, population migration, and social inequality.

From June 30th to July 20th, the Department of Health directed its affiliated units to closely coordinate with relevant departments, agencies, and organizations to hold conferences, seminars, community consultations, thematic talks, and communication training sessions on population and development. These activities were implemented flexibly in each ward and commune, tailored to specific conditions and target groups such as couples of reproductive age and young people preparing for marriage. The Department of Health also ensured that departments and wards were fully equipped with facilities, medicines, supplies, and personnel to provide reproductive health and family planning services, aiming to achieve the 2025 targets.

The efforts of the Hue City health system not only help each citizen understand and act correctly, but also spread a spirit of responsibility towards themselves, their families, and the community, for a healthy and sustainable future.

Text and photos: Thanh Huong

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-polit-xa-hoi/lan-toa-kien-thuc-thay-doi-hanh-vi-155539.html