If a prospective mother is screened three months before marriage, we can handle her anemia by giving supplements to increase her hemoglobin (levels)Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Friday inaugurated a three-month premarital health screening program for couples contemplating marriage as part of efforts to eradicate stunting.
"If a prospective mother is screened three months before marriage, we can handle her anemia by giving supplements to increase her hemoglobin (levels),” BKKBN head Hasto Wardoyo said at the launch, which was accessed online from here on Friday.
The program aims to check the eligibility of prospective mothers who are already planning a pregnancy, he explained.
As many as 37 percent of young women are already anemic. The figure is higher among pregnant women at around 48 percent.
If a mother-to-be is anemic, she can give birth to a stunted baby.
Through the premarital health screening program, prospective mothers will undergo health screening, which will involve blood checks and measurement of upper arm circumference, height, and weight, he informed.
The screening will also check whether a prospective mother is suffering from anemia, chronic energy deficiency, or malnutrition, he said.
The result of the screening will be submitted to BKKBN's Elisimil Application and consistently monitored by the Family Assistance Team (TPK), he added.
“Women whose upper arm circumference is less than 23.5 centimeters will be allowed to get married. However, if they want to get pregnant, they will have to increase it first so that their nutrition is fulfilled and the child they are carrying is not born stunted,” he elaborated.
In addition, the program will also provide counseling to the father-to-be to change bad habits such as smoking or addiction to drugs in order to maintain sperm quality, he said.
He emphasized that couples need not be worried about the screening as it is only meant to serve as a requirement for marriage, and they will be provided assistance if, based on the screening, the prospective mother is deemed not ready to be pregnant yet.
Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas affirmed that his ministry will support the program because it aligns with the ministry's marriage guidance module (bimwin).
Aside from officers from the religious affairs office (KUA), around 55 thousand religious instructors under the ministry can provide assistance and counseling to soon-to-be-married couples, he said.
Related news: Some 37% of young Indonesian women prone to anemia: BKKBN
Related news: Two prior generations of infant determine stunting likelihood: BKKBN
Related news: Unhealthy habits during teens can affect sperm quality: BKKBN
Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
