The (family planning awareness) percentage (in South Kalimantan) is above the national average.Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Head of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) Hasto Wardoyo has lauded South Kalimantan over the high level of family planning awareness among its residents, which stands above the national average.
"The (family planning awareness) percentage (in South Kalimantan) is above the national average," Wardoyo noted here on Tuesday.
The BKKBN head earlier attended the inauguration of the family planning service with national stakeholders in South Kalimantan
Wardoyo revealed that at least 68 percent of fertile couples in South Kalimantan are participating in the family planning program. Their percentage is higher than the national average of 57 percent, he noted.
He said that most of the participants of the family planning program are women, with the percentage of men participating in the program barely touching five percent.
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"Yet the national trend (of men's participation is) also still below five percent," he pointed out.
The BKKBN head then commended the province's Hulu Sungai Selatan district, which has placed first nationwide over the provision of family planning services to 500–1500 acceptors.
Moreover, the Hulu Sungai Utara's 1001/Amuntai District Military Command has also been named the best military command for assisting family planning and reproductive health programs in 2021.
"These prove that collaboration to advance family planning programs in the province is proceeding well, hence is causal to the province's high (family planning awareness) percentage at the national level," Wardoyo said.
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Despite the high awareness level, efforts must be intensified to reduce stunting prevalence in the province, he highlighted.
"We also need to be attentive to parenting and dietary issues (to reduce stunting)," he said.
The promotion of family planning among residents is one of the measures taken by the government through the BKKBN to achieve the target of reducing stunting prevalence to 14 percent by 2024.
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Translator: Sukarli, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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