Social Behaviour Communication crucial initiative for family planning

SHAH ALAM - Social behaviour communication (SBC) and overcoming barriers stand as pivotal elements in guiding the course of family planning endeavours.

Sabah National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) head of clinical and medical officers, Dr. Halimatul Aris, said it is at the forefront of an essential initiative that aims to bring about meaningful change in family planning and reproductive health.

She said the heart of this initiative lies in social behaviour communication (SBC), which seeks to collectively change behaviour, attitudes, and practices.

“It is important to recognise the diverse barriers and misconceptions that different communities may hold about family planning, particularly across various ethnicities and districts.

"We have a social and behavioural change intervention that we should follow,” she said at the launch of demographic and socioeconomic changes in Sabah last Monday.

She also stressed the need to understand the nuances of supply and demand and the local environment, which necessitates in-depth analysis.

“Despite limited resources, with only two clinics and 13 nurses in Sabah, LPPKN has successfully reached over 10,000 women this year in 20 out of 26 districts.

“The dedicated team at LPPKN provides comprehensive training to its nurses, including root cause analysis, to identify and address the specific barriers that might deter women from seeking family planning services,” she said.

She also shared a poignant example from her previous experience with the Health Ministry in maternal child clinics, where she encountered a mother who was initially reluctant to use a tri-monthly injection for family planning.

“Through empathetic and informative communication, misconceptions were dispelled, and alternative options were presented, leading to a better understanding of the method,” she said.

Commenting further, Dr. Aris said the indispensable role of SBC in accommodating patients from diverse backgrounds is a challenge that becomes increasingly important as women's roles in society evolve.

She added that beyond family planning, LPPKN Sabah recently conducted a comprehensive campaign for cancer screening, including family planning and reproductive screening.

“Collaborations with hospitals and clinics have yielded positive feedback, highlighting the importance of reaching out to the community to promote vital health services.

“The success of such initiatives hinges on collaboration with stakeholders and also on the significance of these partnerships for the future work of LPPKN in Sabah,” she said.