The effectiveness of population communication integration in Nghe An

Concentrated in mountainous and highland areas

Mountainous and highland districts account for about 2/3 of Nghe An province's area, but the standard of living is much lower than that of the plain districts. In particular, some districts such as Ky Son, Que Phong, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong and Quy Chau have low average income per capita and limited educational level, leading topopulation qualitynot high

These are localities with high birth rates, the rate of giving birth to a third child or more is still high and comes with many consequences such as early marriage, incestuous marriage and unwanted pregnancy. This situation comes from many causes, including the limitations of the work.tpopulation communicationTherefore, to make propaganda work truly effective, it is necessary to integrate and closely coordinate between the Population sector and local departments, branches and organizations.

People of Nghia Binh commune - Nghia Dan district register for reproductive health check-up. Photo: My Ha

We had the opportunity to visit Bao Nam commune (Ky Son), where nearly 100% of the Khmu people live, and which is also the most disadvantaged commune in the district. Mr. Pham Huu Thanh - a population officer of the commune said that due to the limited level of education of the people, the people's ability to receive information during population communication sessions also encountered many obstacles. There were times when an issue had to be discussed over and over again but still could not be fully understood, had to explain every detail thoroughly, and even had to ask qualified local people to act as "interpreters". Therefore, sometimes and in some places, the effectiveness of communication sessions was not high. Not to mention, the villages were scattered, some villages were half a day's drive from the commune center by motorbike, while limited funding could not regularly organize communication sessions.

This reality forces the Commune Population Committee to coordinate with commune-level departments, branches, unions and the Village Management Board to integrate propaganda content into activities.

Consulting and propaganda on population policy will change people's awareness. Photo: My Ha

As a population officer, Mr. Pham Huu Thanh is always proactive in developing plans to coordinate with commune-level departments and branches to organizepropagateHis experience is to closely follow the action plans of departments and branches to coordinate and integrate propaganda, saving time and costs while still ensuring effectiveness. Especially coordinating with the Commune Women's Union and its branches to promote sexual health care, safe contraceptive methods, newborn care, etc.

These contents are integrated into regular meetings and activities of the No Third Child Club. In addition to saving time and costs for organizing communication, integration has the added advantage of being a member of the association who is knowledgeable and can communicate in the Khmu language, thus achieving the desired results.

Like Mr. Thanh, Ms. Vi Thi Loan, a Population officer of Mon Son commune (Con Cuong) also regularly coordinates with the Women's Union, Farmers' Association, and the Association of the Elderly to integrate propaganda content. "Mon Son is a border commune with a large area, so the work of propagating and disseminating the Population Policy - Family Planning faces many difficulties. Especially in the two villages of Co Phat and Khe Bung at the headwaters of the Giang River, about 20 km from the commune center, it is very difficult to organize communication programs. Therefore, coordinating with organizations, especially the Women's Union, is considered the most effective solution," said Ms. Loan.

The effectiveness of integration

It can be said that due to the special conditions of terrain, living conditions and people's education level, the propaganda of Population Policy - Family Planning can only really bring long-term effectiveness when implemented in an integrated manner. This is proven in Tay Son commune (Ky Son), where 100%Mong peopleliving with a total of 6 villages and more than 300 households. The Mong community often lives on high mountain peaks and is isolated from other ethnic communities. The poverty rate is still high, and the terrain is isolated, so the access to information is somewhat limited.

Bao Nam Commune Health Station (Ky Son) coordinated with the Commune Elderly Association to organize health check-ups and health improvement consultations for members. Photo: CK

To make the propaganda work effective, the Tay Son Commune Population Committee proactively coordinates with departments, branches and organizations to integrate and promote propaganda work. In particular, coordinates with women's associations to establish the No Third Child Club, organizes regular activities to exchange experiences and help each other in life.

Thereby, contributing to changing the awareness and concept of couples in their marriageable age.giving birth. Thanks to that, the third birth rate is on the decline, people of childbearing age using contraceptives account for more than 83%. Notably, in 2016 and 2019, the commune received a Certificate of Merit for its outstanding achievements in meeting the standards of a commune that reduces the third birth rate by 50% or more.

Nhon Mai Commune Population Committee (Tuong Duong) coordinated with the Commune Health Station to promote reproductive health care and family planning. Photo: CK

Also located in the highlands, Tam Thai commune (Tuong Duong) has 8 villages with more than 1,000 households (nearly 4,200 people), of which 95% are Thai ethnic people. Although the socio-economic conditions are still difficult, the people here are always aware of implementing the Population Policy - Family Planning.

The birth rate of the third child or more has decreased year by year with an average of about 6%, the rate of implementing modern contraceptive methods has reached 80.5%. Like Tay Son commune, in 2019 Tam Thai commune was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Provincial People's Committee for its outstanding achievements in meeting the standards of a commune that has reduced the birth rate of the third child by 50% or more.

According to Ms. Vi Thi Hong Tham - population officer of Tam Thai commune, the effective implementation of the Population Policy - Family Planning in the area is partly due to the coordination between the Population Department and departments, branches and organizations in integrating propaganda content. Mass organizations such as the Youth Union, Women's Union, Farmers' Association, and Veterans' Association always create conditions for the Population Department to disseminate propaganda in regular meetings, thus creating a widespread effect.

Officers and staff of Bao Nam Commune Health Station (Ky Son) coordinated with local schools to provide health check-ups for students. Photo: CK

Thus, the propaganda on Population Policy - Family Planning will be more effective when population officers know how tointegration, coordinate with organizations, unions, schools, and health stations in implementing communication work. In particular, stemming from specific factors, this is a regular and urgent requirement in mountainous areas, highlands, and ethnic minority areas with many difficulties.