Residents of Somolu local government have called on Lagos state government to provide more awareness and sensitization on Family Planning. Increased awareness, according to the residents, will help to increase the uptake of family planning services.
During ‘My Family Planning Story’, an initiative to capture the voices of users who were beneficiaries of ‘The Challenge Initiative (TCI)’s family planning project at Onipanu, beneficiaries shared that there should be increased awareness among the populace so that people can be better informed on the benefits of family planning.
An official at the Kajola Primary Health Centre (PHC), Mrs Esther Akapo, said, “more people are aware of family planning but there is a need for continued education on family planning over the radio and use of stickers as these will increase awareness at the grassroots.”
She also suggested that more health providers should be trained in order to provide different methods chosen by subscribers.
She shared that “wehn we go to the field, some clients were able to receive injectables even condoms while some came for the implant without their husband’s consents, but we encouraged them to tell their husband and even bring them along for proper counseling.
“If there are good counseling, most men will accept the truth to space their kids using any method of family planning,” she added.
While appreciating TCI for their supportand state government for the awareness strategies on family planning, Mrs. Akapo rated the response of family planning satisfied users saying that people are coming for follow-up.
A subscriber and resident of Fadeyi community, Mrs. Roselyn Fadeyi acknowledged the support that she has received at the Kajola PHC through the support of TCI.
Mrs Fadeyi said “I’m much satisfied with the service provided by Kajola PHC, I did the one of 3 years but I carried it for a year or two plus after having another daughter, I did another one which is up to 2 years now,” she said.
Mrs. Fadeyi noted that there are still families who are not subscribing to family planning because of some myths and misconceptions.
“There is a lady I told about family planning, she went ahead to inform her husband but he said she shouldn’t come for it.”
She emphasized the need for people to be more aware, saying, “I strongly believe that more awareness on this project can improve the service and interest people to partake in the plan.”
“Some people are ignorant about this, while some are afraid of the aftermath that, if they want to remove it for another child, it delays pregnancy,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Stella Eze, shared that it is important to receive counselling before subscribing to a family planning method.
Citing herself as an example, Mrs Eze said she had to switch her family planning method after experiencing some side effects.
She also suggested that the service should be improved to cater to young people.