According to worldometer, the current world population is about 7.6 billion people and still growing. Currently, Nigeria’s population is 196,009,376 which stands at the 7th most populated country in the world[1]. According to Nigerians’ Vice president, Prof.Yemi Osibanjo via his Twitter handle, ‘’with our population growth rate, by 2050 Nigeria may be the 3rd most populated country in the world’’.
To mark the 50th world population day, parents have the fundamental human right to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children, therefore family planning which allows people to have their desired number of children and determine the spacing of pregnancies should be a basic human right. The main essence of family planning is to improve the quality of life through empowering people to exercise their rights to safe sexuality and decision making on the number of children to have. However, there are various benefits of family planning which makes it essential to the well-being and autonomy of women and development of communities.
There are different types of birth control methods also known as family planning methods. These include:
- Natural methods such as:
- Calendar or rhythm methods (Billings method)
- Withdrawal (coitus interruptus)
2. Modern methods such as:
- Use of combined oral contraceptives (‘’the pills’’)
- Use of progestogen (‘’mini pills’’)
- Implants
- Progestogen only injectables
- Monthly injectables or combined injectables contraceptives
- Combined contraceptives patch and combined contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR)
- Copper-containing intrauterine device (IUD)
- Levonorgestrel Intrauterine device
- Male and female condoms
- Male sterilization (Vasectomy)
- Female sterilization (Tubal ligation)
- Lactational amenorrhea method (LAM)
- Emergency contraceptive pills
- Use of spermicides
SOME OF THESE BENEFITS INCLUDE:
- Prevention of high risk pregnancy-related health challenges in women, especially the young or underage.
It allows for spacing, delays pregnancies in young women at high risk of health problems.
- Reduced infant mortality.
Family planning can prevent closely spaced and ill-timed pregnancies and birth which often leads to some of the world’s highest infant mortality rates.
- Prevention of HIV/AIDS
It reduces the risk of unwanted pregnancies and some methods reduce acquisition of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV in women.
- Empower people and enhances education.
Family planning gives women the opportunity to pursue additional education and participate in public life.
- Reduce adolescent (teenage) pregnancies.
Family Planning reduces the likelihood of pregnancy complications in young girls.
- Slows down population growth
Family planning is a key to slowing unsustainable population growth.
Reliable family planning methods are usually out of reach to some 214 million women of reproductive age who want to avoid pregnancy [2]. As a result of this, many resort to unsafe, unreliable methods which can be dangerous. Global unmet need for contraceptive remains high especially in developing countries.
Some of the reasons for poor family planning include:
- Limited choices of methods.
- Limited access to contraceptives.
- Fear/ experience of side effects of contraceptives
- User and providers bias
- Religious and cultural belief
- Gender- based barriers
- Traditional myths and conceptions
Family planning information and services should be our fundamental birthing right regardless of our race, gender, language, religion, background, age, economic status, nation and any other status. Family planning should be made available, accessible, acceptable and of good quality. More so, there should be full autonomy and all individuals should enjoy the right to privacy, active and informed participation. Our health care system should be accountable.
Reference
- Current World Population. www.worldometers.info/world-population.
- Kanem Natalia. Family Planning is a Human Right. United Nations Population Fund. www.unfpa.org/press/family-planning-human-right.