Young people are indifferent to premarital health check-ups

Very low examination rate

According to the Department of Population and Family Planning of Hai Duong province, currently, pre-marital health consultation and examination for people of new age mainly stops at the consultation stage. The rate of couples having pre-marital health examination in 2023 is very low (about 8%). Most couples preparing to get married are not aware of the benefits and role of this before getting married.

The reporter approached 9 newly married couples in 2023. The results showed that only 1 couple said they went to see a doctor for advice and health check-ups before getting married.

Ms. NTVK in Nam Sach is preparing to hold a wedding ceremony early next year. Talking about pre-marital health check-ups, Ms. K. frankly said: "Neither my boyfriend nor I have any plans for this. I don't think it's necessary because both of our health are normal."

An official from the Department of Population and Family Planning in Hai Duong province said that many people are not interested in premarital health check-ups. A large number of young people are afraid to go to the doctor to check "sensitive" areas of their body. Many are afraid that discovering a disease will affect their love life...

Statistics from the Institute for Family and Gender Studies show that each year there are over 60,000 divorces nationwide, of which 70% are in young families aged 18-30. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, each year Vietnam has over 41,000 children with birth defects. For every 33 children born, there is 1 case of diseases such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, neural tube defects, Thalassemia and a series of other diseases. Birth defects cause thousands of deaths in newborns... There are many reasons leading to these consequences, including the fact that many couples are indifferent, do not have health check-ups, and are not fully prepared before entering married life.

Young people about to get married and start a new life face many problems related to reproductive health and sexual health. They need to have a general health check-up and reproductive health check-up to assess, detect and treat early infectious and genetic diseases that can affect sexual problems, pregnancy, prepare to welcome a healthy child, reduce the divorce rate... According to medical experts, both men and women should have a health check-up at least 3-6 months before marriage.

Skipping premarital health check-ups is a mistake that can have negative impacts on the life and happiness of each family in the future, and more broadly, affect the quality of the population in general.

Need real involvement

Hai Duong aims to have 90% of young men and women receive pre-marital counseling and health check-ups by 2030. In the immediate future, in 2024, the whole province strives to increase the number of couples doing this by at least 5%.

To achieve the above goal, many opinions believe that there needs to be substantial participation from many sides. First of all, it is necessary to strengthen the leadership and direction of Party committees and authorities at all levels, the participation and cooperation of departments, branches and organizations from the province to the grassroots. The health sector should coordinate more closely with other sectors and localities to diversify forms of propaganda to change the awareness, consciousness and responsibility of men and women of marriageable age. Replicate models and communication clubs in this field in educational institutions from secondary school and above. Regularly organize health examination and consultation activities for people of minor age, youth...

The leader of the Department of Population and Family Planning of Hai Duong province said that it has been coordinating with departments, branches, and organizations, especially the Department of Education and Training, the Provincial Youth Union, and the Provincial Labor Federation to carry out communication activities, provide knowledge and skills on reproductive health care for adolescents and young people. The whole province has established 390 pre-marital clubs and 34 "Supporting Girls" clubs. By December 26, Hai Duong had 128 communes implementing the Project to strengthen counseling and provide population and family planning services for adolescents and young people...

The theme of the National Action Month on Population and Vietnam Population Day on December 26, 2023 is "Participate in pre-marital health consultation and examination for family happiness and the future of the country". This theme once again emphasizes the importance of pre-marital health examination and calls on each individual, family and the whole society to act together.