From Francis Nansak ,Lafia
Diverse challenges that connects to family planning among some women in Nasarawa state have been discovered.
Pathfinder International ,a non governmental organization last week took some journalists in the state on a facts finding retreat to a Primary Healthcare Center in Lafia.
Cross examining some women who were in the clinic for various medical attention, Pathfinder with specific interest on ascertaining the level of awareness on family planning from the women, reports that while the women admitted that they are aware of family planning, there are those whose spouses are not comfortable with the idea.
A mother of Two, Victoria Emmanuel, said she has been using the method of child spacing even when her husband shows resistance to the idea.
According to her ” I come to hospital because my baby is malnourished so the doctor referred me here because I first went to Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH). And this is the second time he is suffering from malnutrition.
“I was not able to do exclusive breastfeeding because when he was suffering from malnutrition at one month old, they told me to give him milk for about three weeks. When he recovered I continue breastfeeding till about five months.”
Aisha Mohammed, on her part, said that, at 17 years, she have had 2 miscarriages which was within Nine months ,but her third child who is alive is not energetic .
” I suspects is due to the stressed I am subjected to by my husband whom I have persuaded to allowed rest .
” And since I became aware that I can use family planning and that will help me in planning for the next birth, it has helped me. My son is one year now though he is not too strong as a result of malnutrition, ” she added.
The Desk Officer of the PHC Abdulmumumi Aliyu, told journalists that the rate of patronage from women who are now accessing Family planning has tremendously improved.
He said against previous years ,women especially from Lafia, were shy of opening up on the issue of family planning, because of cultural and religious background.
Aliyu added that contraceptives consumables are available and that even among the young girls the use of contraceptives have increased.
