26th September 2023
World Contraception day 2023 and Myths Surrounding Uptake of Family Planning by Rachel Izuogu Onah.
DR KINIKANWO GREEN, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY RIVERS STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE BOARD, HAVING A CHAT WITH PRESSMEN
As the world commemorates World Contraception Day 2023,which is commemorated every 26th day of September, we discovered that there are many factors hindering women from the uptake of family planning. This has made women to continue giving birth to the number of children they cannot cater for. One of the disadvantages of this is that there is a high rate of poverty and crime in Rivers State and the world at large. We also have cases of maternal and infant mortality. In this report, some of those factors were revealed and some health personnel helped in disabusing the minds of people from such negative beliefs thereby encouraging them to uptake family planning.
World contraception day 2023 was marked in a big way in Port Harcourt Rivers State , South South Nigeria. It is a day set aside to draw attention to the importance of family planning, thereby reducing the high rate of unwanted and unplanned pregnancies.
Speaking on the importance of commemorating the day ,The Executive Secretary of Rivers state Primary Health Care Management Board
Dr Kinikanwo Green, said the day is very important because it helps to draw attention to the importance of accessing family Planning services, urging Everyone to avail themselves of the opportunity to uptake family planning.
Correspondent Rachel Izuogu Onah reports that the theme for this year’s world contraceptives day is THE POWER OF OPTIONS.
Dr Kinikanwo Green further noted that in commemorating the day,
- Citizens are made aware of correct and consistent information on family planning methods and services;
- 2. Quality family planning methods and services are consistently accessible and available through the trained service Providers in our primary health centers;
- 3. Family planning services are continuously integrated in the full package of maternal and child health services and reduce the unmet need especially in the hard to reach areas.
- 4. And finally, ensure that we continue to allow and support policies and practices that positively support the uptake of family planning services in all our centers.
STUDIO INTERACTION WITH SOME HEALTH PERSONNEL ON WORLD CONTRACEPTION DAY
As we continue to ensure that family Planning Services are available, accessible and without charges, we use this medium to urge all to visit any Primary Health Center near you; request and access routine family planning counseling and contraceptive services.
Family Planning methods remain safe and effective; there is a method that suits each individual.
REASONS FOR REJECTING FAMILY PLANNING.
I spoke to some women on the streets of Port Harcourt on why they are reluctant about uptake of family planning, Mrs Joy Anyanwu said her Church condemns Family planning saying that she will give birth to the number of Children God gives her. This is one of the erroneous beliefs that is hindering some people from uptake of family planning. To Mrs Susan George, she has heard many scary things about Family planning, like some women bleeding profusely after uptaking family planning. Mrs Peace George said her husband does not support family planning and she cannot go against the wishes of her husband. I spoke to the desk officer of family planning at Rivers State Primary Health Care Board, Mrs Ada Ordu who noted that the concerns raised by many women here are some of the bottlenecks they always contend with in the field while encouraging women to disabuse their minds from all these, as they are wrong. Mrs Ordu said that as a woman, if your husband does not support family planning, you can go ahead and uptake it by yourself, because your life is involved.
MRS ADA ORDU, SPEAKING ON WORLD CONTRACEPTION DAY 2023
On the issue of bleeding profusely after uptaking family planning, Mrs Ordu said it is not true, urging women to do away with these myths and key into Family planning, to protect themselves from untimely death, resulting from unwanted pregnancies.
