Janet Ogundepo
Despite increased awareness about the different family planning methods in the country, health experts say only 17 per cent of Nigerians use contraceptives.
According to them, over 90 per cent of Nigerian men and women are aware of the existence and availability of contraceptives, lamenting that the unmet need for contraceptives stands at 28 per cent.
The experts stressed the need to expand access to contraceptives to improve health outcomes and reduce maternal mortality, maintaining that Nigeria’s Contraceptive Prevalence Rate of 17 per cent was low.
The experts made this known at a webinar commemorating World Contraception Day and hosted by a not-for-profit organisation, Development Communications Network with support from The Challenge Initiative.
Speaking on the theme, “Breaking Barriers: Advancing Access to Family Planning in Resource-Limited Settings,” the experts stated that Nigeria’s CPR has shown minimal improvement over the years, highlighting poor government funding, limited available contraceptive methods and poor access as some of the barriers.
World Contraception Day is celebrated worldwide on September 26 every year.
This year’s theme is “The Power of Options: Empowering Choice, Enhancing Health.”
According to the World Health Organisation, the day’s mission is to improve awareness of all available contraceptive methods to ensure people make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health.
The WHO notes that contraceptives are useful in the fight against sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies.
Speaking at the webinar, a professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State, Josiah Mutihir, stated that this year’s theme highlighted the importance of several contraceptive choices, especially in resource-limited settings like Nigeria.
He noted that cultural, economic and logistic challenges were factors that continued to hinder access to essential reproductive health services.
In a statement sent to PUNCH Healthwise, the gynaecologist noted that although several contraceptive options including natural family planning methods, hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices and permanent solutions, access remained a pressing issue, particularly in underserved areas of Nigeria.
“World Contraception Day serves as a platform for sensitising the public on contraception—what it is, its benefits, and how individuals can access it.
“While awareness levels are high, with over 90 per cent of both men and women in Nigeria knowledgeable about contraception, the usage rate remains alarmingly low at just 17 per cent.
“Furthermore, Nigeria continues to grapple with an unmet need for contraception at 24.8 per cent, revealing a gap between knowledge and access to effective family planning methods.
“Nigeria’s Contraceptive Prevalence Rate has shown minimal improvement over the years despite the significant resources invested by organisations and projects,” it read in part.
Highlighting the barriers preventing widespread contraceptive use, Mutihir said, “Poor funding from national, state, and local government authorities, commodity stock-outs and limited availability of contraceptive methods, untrained healthcare providers and biases in service provision, inadequate facilities and poor access to contraceptive services, especially in rural areas, cultural, religious, and political influences, further complicate efforts to promote contraception.
“Additionally, widespread myths and misconceptions, concerns over future fertility, and the fear of side effects deter many young Nigerians from embracing modern contraceptives. These barriers are further exacerbated by spousal disagreement, poverty, and the influence of religious and cultural leaders.”
The don called for collective efforts to break the barriers to contraceptive access in Nigeria, stating that government action at all levels was needed to ensure adequate funding, the distribution of commodities, and the training of healthcare providers.
He urged ethnic, religious, cultural, and community leaders to advocate the importance of family planning and educate their communities.
The gynaecologist also emphasised the need for sustained advocacy on policies that promoted access to contraception and challenged societal norms that hinder family planning.
Mutihir added that private sector involvement was important in expanding access to affordable contraceptives, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Also, the Edo State Director of Nursing Services, Mrs Patricia Osazuwa, said, “Comprehensive education on reproductive health and informed decision-making is essential for empowering young people.”
The Health Promotion Officer for Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Lovina Ibiok, advocated continuous education of religious leaders on family planning to dispel misconceptions.
“Many believers view contraceptives as immoral. By empowering leaders as influencers they can promote informed decision-making and encourage followers to adopt family planning methods, improving overall health and well-being,” she said.
One of the participants from Plateau State, Isaac Adamu, emphasised the importance of male involvement in reproductive health decisions, suggesting that Family Planning Champions (individuals who believe, actively support and promote FP) can be crucial in influencing informed choices.
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