BIRTH CONTROL: ACCEPTANCE IN MY COUNTRY/CULTURE AND MY ROLE AS A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL⛑️🥼💊💉

5 months ago

One of the blessing of nature given to humanity is the ability to reproduce i.e. procreate. Procreation brings about sustainance of humanity and anything that affects procreation can lead to been endangered and finally to extinction. However, before procreation, some questions needs to be answered like; the right timing, adequate preparation for care, reason for procreation and others. The need for family planning comes in to address the increase in human population without commensurate sustainability or planning in place to cater for such especially with increase in hunger, famine, economy downturn, unemployment and other things affecting humanity negatively.

Birth control isn't a new concept as it has been of old but have evolved over time in method and practice. In the olden days here in Nigeria especially in my yoruba culture of the southwestern part of Nigeria, birth control is accepted with the use of methods like the withdrawal method by the men, use of special beeds by women which has been soaked in herbs/concoctions known locally for this purpose and use of women "safe periods" based on the menstrual cycle. Reference
Though more women were married for farming and there were extended families of large populations based on the prevailing knowledge then, however, family planning was still achieved through the means above.

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However, as scientific knowledge abounds and due to civilization with geometric population increase and scare resources to cater for the vast population, the need for brith control and family planning gained more popularity with government and institutions organising awareness/sensitization programs to the general public. Also, new methods of family planning/birth control were adopted with family control programs and initiatives initiated in different health institutions, hospitals and also in Community Pharmacies for a wider reach and coverage. Birth control/family planning is accepted is my country Nigeria and also in my culture, the Yoruba culture.

The forms of family planning methods available now includes the pills i.e. oral contraceptives, the injectables, the Intrauterine device (IUD), the patch, the use of condomns, spermicides, diaphragms and so on. Reference Also, though not that popular and rare, some go for surgical removal of reproductive parts such as vesectomy. The choice of which method to go for depends with each individual and as agreed by the partners (couples) in conjunction with medical advise by the professionals after conducting assessment of the health status of the individual. Family planning helps couples to plan adequately for the number of children they can care for properly and raise for us to have a sane society.

As a healthcare professional i.e. a Pharmacist, specifically a Community Pharmacist, i play a vital role in family planning and birth control for the betterment of all through family planning/birth control information, products and services. Reference. Firstly, i engage in enlightenment, sensitisation and awareness right from my workplace as i engage with patients who came for such enlightenment/counsel and also to the general public e.g. neighborhood, schools, students, workers etc. Also, i provide safe, effective and affordable contraceptive drugs and birth control devices to the populace especially the registered ones with the regulatory agencies to avoid the circulation of fake ones. I also do referral to registered/licensed specialty clinics/hospitals for access to quality medical care by trained specialist in line with family planning/birth control to prevent been victims of quackery.

In addition, sex education and the importance of having safe sex lifestyle is been emphasised during consultation service in my community pharmacy. Many are afraid of contraception based on false believes/opinions, some youths who are not ready for family life and are having unprotected sex are counseled appropriately, the oral/injectable contraceptives are given as appropriate, sex education in secondary schools, awareness on radio programs etc are what I do with other community pharmacists to further the course of family planning/birth control in Nigeria.

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It is good to note that the new birth control measures in line with international best practices are observed in Nigeria although some still practice some of the old practices like withdrawal method, "safe period" alongside. Also, for effective birth control, some of these measures are combined sometimes as needed. Some of the challenges of birth control in Nigeria includes hike in prices of the drugs/devices, challenge of quackery, brain drain due to migration of specialist in search of greener pastures, moral decadency/poverty/unemployment leading to rape and other social vices, inaccessible healthcare especially the rural areas. Most significantly, the religious/cultural believes in some areas against contraception is a major hinderance to family planning or its lagging due to strong cultural/religious inclination of the citizens of my dear country. Reference 1 Reference 2

In all, family planning and birth control is accepted and recognized in Nigeria and also, in my Yoruba culture with new methods of birth control been in use. Thanks for reading even as comments, contributions and suggestions are highly welcomed.

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