Huong Tra Medical Center provides consultation and communication on reproductive health for women.

Changing Perception

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mao, a woman living in Huong Tra ward (a merger of 3 wards Tu Ha, Huong Van and Huong Van), Hue city, shared that she previously did not understand much about reproductive health or family planning. She said: “I always thought that giving birth was a gift from God, I did not know how to be proactive, and even less how to take care of myself after giving birth”. However, after participating in a live communication session at the health station organized by local health workers , her awareness changed.

“For the first time, I heard a detailed explanation about safe contraception, feminine hygiene, and the role of regular health check-ups. The doctor spoke in a friendly and easy-to-understand way, so I learned a lot. Now I know how to protect my health and avoid giving birth too close together so as not to affect the mother and child," Ms. Mao added.

Ms. Duong Thi Nu, Head of the Department of Population - Communication and HealthEducation , Huong Tra Medical Center, said that in order to raise women's awareness of reproductive health care, the unit has organized many communication campaigns combined with on-site service provision. In April 2025, the Center organized a screening campaign for breast cancer, cervical cancer and provided family planning services for women aged 15 - 49. Thanks to that, many cases of the disease were detected early, increasing the opportunity for timely treatment, while helping women raise awareness of family planning.

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

Improve knowledge and disease prevention behaviors

According to MSc.BSCKI. Ha Thi My Dung, Head of the Department of Reproductive Health, Hue City Center for Disease Control (CDC), communication to improve knowledge and change behavior in the prevention and screening of cervical cancer and breast cancer is identified as the focus. Accordingly, Hue City CDC has actively developed communication materials suitable for each target group, focusing on the cultural characteristics, customs, languages ​​and socio-economic conditions of each region.

“We also improve the direct communication capacity of grassroots medical staff and population collaborators, combining communication in the community and at service facilities to create sustainable dissemination effects,” said Dr. Dung.

A prominent activity in the series of programs on World Population Day (July 11) was the training course on “Guidelines for screening for gestational diabetes” organized by the Hue City CDC. More than 40 grassroots health workers participated in the training course, focusing on the following contents: Causes, risk factors, and impacts of gestational diabetes; screening process from the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy according to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines; glucose tolerance test and how to monitor high-risk pregnancies. Trainees were also equipped with skills in nutrition counseling, blood sugar management, inter-level coordination, and postpartum care for mothers.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Kiem Hao, Director of the Hue City Department of Health, the theme of this year’s World Population Day is “Reproductive autonomy in a changing world”, affirming the importance of empowering individuals, especially women and young people, to make informed and voluntary reproductive decisions. This is especially meaningful in the context of global challenges such as climate change, population shifts and increasing social inequality.

From June 30 to July 20, the Department of Health directed its affiliated units to closely coordinate with departments, branches, and organizations to organize conferences, seminars, community consultations, thematic talks, communication training, etc. on population and development. Activities are flexibly implemented in each ward and commune, in accordance with practical conditions and specific subjects such as couples of childbearing age and young people preparing to get married. The Department of Health also ensures that departments and rooms are fully equipped with facilities, drugs, supplies, and human resources to implement reproductive health care and family planning services, aiming to complete the target by 2025.

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

Article and photos: Thanh Huong

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