According to statistics, Vietnam is the 15th most populous country in the world with a total population of 100 million people, approximately 40% of the population lives in urban areas. Vietnam is also the country with the fastest growing per capita income in the last 10 years.
Vietnam has a fairly young population structure with over 50% of the population aged 39, this is the main working age and also the reproductive age. On average, nearly 4,000 children are born every day in Vietnam.
Ms. Ngo Thuy Anh – Director of HASU Development and Integration Joint Stock Company, said that in addition to high birth rates, Vietnam also faces the situation of favoring men over women – typically the phenomenon of gender imbalance. at birth, when the ratio of boys/girls is among the highest in the world (110 boys/100 girls). This also leads to great psychological pressure on women, especially during the preparation, pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum stages.
Ms. Thuy Anh cited a study showing: In fact, 37% of people aged 18 – 34 do not consider their health a top priority. According to studies, about 37% of women feel embarrassed about the changes in their bodies after giving birth, and 30% – 40% of women experience postpartum mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety. postpartum anxiety and pressure.
A recently conducted American survey showed that: 57% of women under 45 years old and 31% over 45 years old are more likely to suffer from postpartum anxiety or depression. 63% of women care about their own health immediately after giving birth as much as the health of their newborn baby.
Ms. Thuy Anh shared about the problems postpartum women in Vietnam are facing. Photo: NT
In Vietnam, care services for pregnant women, postpartum women and raising children under 5 years old are increasingly developing, but are not professional and have many things to improve.
Ms. Thuy Anh also said that it is easy to see that while the types of services and products for pregnant women, infants and young children are growing quite rapidly, a large array of important services Less attention is given to: comprehensive care and mental health care for postpartum mothers. It seems that after giving birth, women have become “weak” and receive little attention.
In families, most of the attention and financial resources are focused on the child being born, while the mother – after going through a long period of major changes in her physical and mental health. and society, receive little attention. Psychological and physiological changes during this period can cause very serious consequences, even lasting throughout life, significantly affecting health, life and quality of life. for the mother as well as for the baby and the whole family. Therefore, even women who have given birth for many years are the ones who are strongly and long-term affected by the lack of physical – psychological – social health care in the postpartum period.
Towards comprehensive care for mothers after giving birth
Faced with that reality, the program “Mom’s Story” aims to raise community awareness about comprehensive care for postpartum women. Today (December 27), the units also signed a cooperation agreement to implement a program to raise public awareness of postpartum maternal health care.
The program is divided into 2 phases. The first phase will be implemented in two cities: Hanoi and Hai Phong. The next phase will be replicated and implemented in 10 other major cities.
The program aims to change the perception of the core team of propagandists who are reputable people, such as local Women’s Union officials and local authorities; family members… about taking care of women during pregnancy and postpartum period.
The program provides knowledge and skills to women preparing to become pregnant, during pregnancy and raising children under 5 years old on the above issues, thereby contributing to improving knowledge and changing attitudes of the community. – families in physical and mental care for women, contributing to happier families. Thus, children, relatives, and the whole community will benefit directly.
Guests share stories related to postpartum maternal health care. Photo: NT
The program aims to impact 110,000 people, including mothers and propaganda teams, women’s union officials, local authorities… and those working in postpartum maternal health care.
Ms. Nguyen Thu Giang – Deputy Director of the Light Institute for Community Health Development (Light) – said that Yeumom – Light Institute is the technical support unit for this humanitarian program. She hopes that when Light participates in the program, it will become a leading ecosystem in creativity and sustainability, capable of connecting and using resources effectively to contribute more to health care. community, specifically postpartum maternal health care.
Ms. Giang also shared her own story. Before, when she was pregnant, she had a very hard time. She had a miscarriage when the fetus was 4 months old. Even though her health is weakened, she still has to work and take care of her relatives. Ms. Giang said that many mothers face difficulties and hardships, and have pain that haunts their whole lives. Therefore, she hopes that the program “Mom’s Story” will contribute to supporting and providing more comprehensive health care for mothers.
