Family planning (KB) is a government program designed to regulate the population's birth rate. According to Law no. 10 of 1992 concerning Population Development and the Development of Prosperous Families, family planning (KB) is defined as an effort to increase awareness and community participation through increasing the age of marriage, birth control, fostering family resilience, increasing welfare to create small, happy and prosperous families.
Goals of Family Planning
Specifically, the family planning (KB) program aims to improve the welfare of a family by limiting the birth rate or number of children born. Its implementation is carried out by providing awareness to the public about the importance of using contraceptives such as birth control pills, IUDs ( Intrauterine Devices ), birth control injections, condoms, implants and other contraceptive methods.
By proclaiming the slogan "two children are better", the family planning (KB) program also aims to:
- Improving maternal and child health.
- Increasing public knowledge regarding the importance of contraception.
- Prevent early marriage.
- Giving women control over their reproductive decisions.
- Ensure population control is controlled.
Benefits of birth control for women's health
The Family Planning (KB) program has not only succeeded in reducing the number of births, but this program is also considered to have many benefits for women's health. The benefits that a woman can get after implementing a family planning program are as follows.
- Preventing Unwanted Pregnancy
The use of contraception as part of family planning can help to prevent unplanned pregnancies or too many pregnancies in a short time. As a result, a woman can avoid stress or other mental health problems that can result from an unwanted pregnancy. - Reduces the Risk of Uterine and Cervical Cancer
Based on research conducted by the Institut Catala d'Oncologia in Catalonia, Spain involving more than 20 thousand women, it was found that women who used IUD contraception had a significantly reduced risk of contracting endometrial and cervical cancer.
This can happen because the IUD implanted in the uterus can cause an inflammatory response, so it can prevent and even eliminate the Human papillomavirus virus (HPV virus) as the main factor causing cervical cancer. - Avoiding Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Using condoms as a method of contraception can also protect women from various sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This contraceptive can prevent the exchange of body fluids during sexual intercourse, so it is very effective in reducing the risk of transmitting STDs such as HIV/AIDS, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and genital herpes. - Improving Mental Health
By implementing a family planning program, a woman has greater control over her life and future planning, both for herself and her small family. This good planning can certainly improve mental and emotional well-being in the future. - Improve Physical Health
Apart from improving mental health, family planning programs can also improve women's physical health. By spacing births between children at least 2-3 years, a woman's body can have sufficient time to recover and return to optimal condition before facing the next pregnancy. Apart from that, a well-planned pregnancy can also reduce the risk of pregnancy complications such as anemia, bleeding and preeclampsia. - Avoid the Risk of Death
Pregnancy at a very young age (teenage) or a very old age (over 35 years) has a higher risk of complications. This is where birth control has an important role to help prevent pregnancy at these risky ages. By ensuring that the pregnancy is desired, planned and managed well, the risk of life-threatening complications during pregnancy and childbirth can be significantly reduced.
The role of women as mothers is very significant for the survival of a family. Therefore, it is important to understand well what a family planning (KB) program is and its benefits in order to maintain a woman's health, both physical and mental health. With proper understanding and good implementation regarding planning the timing of pregnancy, number of children, and the contraceptive method to be used, family prosperity can finally be achieved.
Article written by dr. Melkiandri Fanggidae, Sp.OG (Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology at EMC Cibitung Hospital).