"For mother and baby- For Vietnamese Stature" project: Personal health protection is also about health protection for family.

“Women care for their husband, children and family members, then ultimately there comes one day when they all leave and only health remains till the end. Therefore, it is necessary women should be aware of personal health; hereby, they can better care for their children and family.

Above is the message delivered by Mrs. Vu Minh Phuong, a speaker, doctor, psychology and reproductive health consultant on a television program called “Love Window” to 250 female workers of Yamaha Motor Vietnam Ltd. Co. in Noi Bai Industrial zone (Hanoi) within the communication program on reproductive health protection for women of reproductive age. The program was conducted by For Vietnamese Stature Foundation (VSF) and DKT International Inc, together with Labor Union of the Hanoi Industrial Zone and Export Processing Zone in Hanoi on July 13^th.

Women need to be aware of reproductive health protection

In the program, many women shared that they can neither afford nor be available to do a medical check-up. However, doctor Phuong assured that it was just the matter of time before they had to make investment. As for specialized knowledge on reproductive health protection, she said that unconscious of the matter as women are, they may feel too shy to ask for advice. Hence, they need to be equipped with knowledge and skills about reproductive health protection so that women can live healthily, build up family happiness and give birth to children of good health.

According to Mrs. Phuong, one of the fundamental requirements is that women should do reproductive health screening four times a year. Women in their forties or even less whose reproductive system is infected with bacteria should carry out cervical selection every 18 months. Women should perform prenatal screening tests at least 3 times in 3 periods and also do ultrasound scan in the 12^th, 22^nd and 32^nd week. Only modern contraception methods, including using condom, taking pills (or injection) and using intra-uterine device (UTD) can be highly effective. Traditional contraception methods can still cause unwanted pregnancy, leading to having too many children with too narrow age gap (insufficient care) or abortion. Frequent abortion can cause holes in uterus, vagina bleeding and fallopian tube obstruction.

How to have an affective abortion?

In the program, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Lan (office clerk in Yahamoto Co.) said she was 235 years old, but she had 3 children, two of whom were initially unexpected. “When my first kid was more than one year old, she was expecting the second baby and the third pregnancy was also not realized right away. The knowledge in the program that day will provide women with more knowledge of effective contraception methods as well as more raise awareness of productive health protection” said Lan.

Participants received leaflets about reproductive health protection

and gifts which are safe contraceptive products from DKT International Inc,

According to the speaker, there are many modern contraception methods and products, but many couples still use traditional methods (calculating periods, coitus interruptus), causing a high rate of unwanted pregnancy. Therefore, women should proactively use contraceptive methods which are currently introduced on the market.

“Condom prevents sperms from uniting with egg; contraceptive pill, contraceptive implant and contraceptive injection prevent ovulation; intra-uterine device (IUD) prevents fertilized egg from moving into uterus. Besides, there are emergency contraceptive pills and sterilization. In their periodical check-up, women should consult with doctors for the best treatment, because each method has its own pros and cons and not all methods are suitable”, said doctor Phuong.

Doctor Vu MInh Phuong (on the left) taught how to test and use condoms safely.

The communication workshop on improving reproductive health protection at Yamaha Motor factory, within the second period of “For mother and baby- For Vietnamese Stature” project, which are conducted in conjunction with DKT International Inc and TH Group. Mrs. Tran Thi Nhu Trang, Director of For Vietnamese Stature Foundation (VSF) said: “Reproductive health protection is necessary for both male and female workers. More knowledge and skills in proper nutrition, reproductive and mental health protection for women of reproductive age will help them be more aware of protecting health for themselves, their family members and raising stature of future generations”.