Nigeria Records 80 Million Unplanned Pregnancies Yearly – Group


By
Independent
To mark the world contraception day on Tuesday, a non-governmental organisation, Development Communications (DEVCOMS), has revealed that about 46 million abortions are performed in Nigeria every year.
In a release, DEVCOMS explained that unplanned pregnancies can have huge impact on the individuals, as well as, their partners’ lives, hence the need to use contraceptives as protection.
“Sex can be fun, pleasurable, and fulfilling part of life, but without protection, it can lead to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and unplanned pregnancies,” the statement said.
It added that contraception prevents unsafe abortion, which has become a persistent, preventable pandemic and remains one of the most neglected sexual and reproductive health problems in the world today.
According to National Demographic Health Survey 2013, the prevalence rate for contraceptive use in Nigeria is only 15 per cent. “This is very low in spite of the high rate of sexual activity and widespread awareness of the various contraceptive methods among Nigerian men, women, adolescent and youths”, the survey stated.
Ikeoluwa Otudeko, Head of Programmes for Devcoms, called for increase in sexual and reproductive health education, information on the various methods of contraception, interpersonal/peer-to-peer communication and improvements in healthcare services delivery.
However, in order to prevent abortion, and other maternal health complications, Mrs. Charity Ibeawuchi, Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) Senior Technical Advisor on Advocacy, urged increased uptake of modern family planning methods.
Ibeawuchi said: “Family planning plays a major role in improving maternal, new-born and child health. Family planning helps to avoid the proven challenges women face in pregnancy/ child birth when they are too young and too old in age and/or when pregnancies are too close and too many.
“Successful family planning programmes improve quality of life whilst significantly contributing to demographic dividends and national development.
“Presently, of utmost importance is the need for adequate information to correct some of the myths and misconceptions and break barriers surrounding contraceptive use in Nigeria, most especially with the high rate of teenage pregnancies.”
Speaking on 2017 WCD theme, which is: It’s your life, it’s your future, know your body,” Mrs. Iwalola Akin-Jimoh, the Executive Secretary, Youth Empowerment Foundation, tasked teenagers, women and youths to take responsibility for their sexual and reproductive health.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Limited Information Frustrates Young Women From Using Family Planning

Image
BY CHIOMA UMEHA, Awareness and proper understanding of family planning has been recognised to reduce maternal death among young women of reproductive age between 15 and 49. Data on Sexual Reproductive Health outcomes in Nigeria stresses the importance of focusing on adolescents. At 576 maternal death per 1,000 live births, Nigeria accounts for 14 percent of the global burden of maternal mortality (NDHS 2013/WHO 2014). Global evidence shows that young girls bear a higher burden of maternal mortality and morbidity. Data shows that the average age at sexual debut is roughly 15 years of age among adolescent mothers in Nigeria. (NDHS 2003, 2008, 2013). The National adolescent fertility rate in Nigeria is 122 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years. In the North Western States, it is as high as 171 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years. To stem this, the government of Lagos State with support from partners and other donor agencies has put in place youth-friendly he
Read more

Nestle Takes Action To Promote Safe Food And Empowers Food Vendors

Image
By Umeha Ucheoma Ogun Photo:  Funmi Osineye, Manager, Nestlé Professional Nigeria, educating the participants on the use of MAGGI seasoning. The quality and cost of these items for consumers are two factors that experts advise food businesses to always take into consideration.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a balanced diet is important for both excellent nutrition and health, and it may also lengthen life.  A variety of chronic non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, can be prevented by eating a balanced diet, which also strengthens muscles, improves immunity, strengthens bones, and keeps skin, teeth, and eyes healthy. Sadly, in a low-income nation like Nigeria, the caterers, food sellers, canteens, and "bukkas" that cater to this market sector do not always receive the support they require to offer wholesome, affordable meals that may guarantee that their clients receive the nutrients needed for optimum health.  However,
Read more

SDGs: FG Approves Nigeria's Alliance For Youth

Image
By Ucheoma Umeha  Ogun L to R: Akinlonu Foluso, Director Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development; Sunday Dare, Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development: Shakiru Lawal, Country HR Manager, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, at the launch of Alliance for Youth Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has signed on to the initiative as a development partner to the alliance, recently. President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern over Nigeria's rapidly growing population, claiming that the country is one of the few whose fertility is still increasing despite being the largest in Africa and ranking seventh globally. According to the United Nations 2022 World Population Day estimate, Nigeria's population will reach 216 million in 2022 at a pace of 3.2 percent annual growth.  According to Buhari, fertility depends on a young population, with over 72 percent of the population being under 30 years old and half of the female residents being between
Read more