PHSAI youth identifies high risk in adolescents’ sexual behaviour - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet: 

The youth arm of the Public Health Sustainable Advocacy Initiative (PHSAI) has attributed the high risk in sexual behaviour among Nigerian adolescents as responsible for the increasing teenage pregnancy, out of school girls, baby dumping, post abortion complication and death, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The Coordinator, Life Planning for Adolescents and Youth at PHSAI Lagos State, Abiodun Ajayi, made this disclosure while addressing participants at World Contraception Day 2019 hosted by the Pathfinder International.

Dwelling on ‘Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health (AYSRH) in Lagos,’ Ajayi noted that despite bold steps taken by the state and some stakeholders to increase young people access to youth-friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, the upsurge in sexual behaviour remained high.

He called for an urgent need to increase discussion around youth SRH cum family planning issues at all levels.

Ajayi also called for increase in funding to sufficiently meet the SRH-FP need of the high risk sexual behaviour of these rapidly growing young populations.

He identified further lack of adequate access and accurate life planning information and services, stressing that lack of youth friendly health facilities and provider bias as some of the worrisome issues.

Additionally, Ajayi said that poor knowledge of contraceptive options and benefits have been a stumbling block for the youth in the state.

“The Lagos State Youth Policy that could provide some backing to the state response to AYSRH has some significant gaps, especially the target audience which is youth between 18 and 35 years and its focus is more on poverty alleviation and other interventions as appendages,” he told NaijaAgroNet.

Ajayi lamented that though the policy had provision for reproductive health services, “it was not explicit on access to contraceptives or family planning services.”

Further, he proposed there should be an evidence based policy and legislative advocacy for implementation of AYSRH services in Lagos State.

“Enhance partnership with NGOs by the state government to establish youth friendly SRH services,” he said.

The PHSAI youth coordinator, maintained that trainings and supervisory programmes that effectively address medical and personal provider’s biases regarding young people’s use of all available contraceptives should be conducted.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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RB Durex in partnership with PPFN on sexual health

NaijaAgroNet:

In accordance with RB’s continuous commitment to being a socially responsible organization, RB Durex has signed an agreement with the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) to help improve the sexual health and wellbeing of Nigerians, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The scope of the partnership covers Sexual and Reproductive Health education and increasing consumer access to condoms by opening new channels and reaching consumers previously unreached.

According to a recent report by World Health Organization (WHO), ‘Every day, more than one million sexually transmitted infections are acquired worldwide, and each year an estimated 78 million people are infected, constituting a major health concern also in Nigeria.’ Sexual Health Education and Contraception are therefore twin preventive health strategies to curb this. Research and Real World data reveals that male latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, is an effective approach to achieve a reduction in the spread of sexually transmitted infections and prevent unintended pregnancy.

Rahul Murgai, the Managing Director of RB Nigeria and Dr Ibrahim M. Ibrahim, the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) were optimistic that the joint efforts of the two organizations will help drive the sexual and reproductive health agenda in Nigeria.

Speaking about the partnership with PPFN, Rahul Murgai said, “RB is excited to partner with PPFN to create scaled awareness and education in Nigeria on planned-parenthood, maternal health, safe contraception techniques and targeted reduction in HIV related deaths through the effective and consistent use of condoms. Through this collaboration, consumers will have the requisite education and empowerment to improve their Sexual Health with easy access to Durex- the World number 1 condom brand.” 

Over the years RB has been at the forefront for cause-related initiatives that further the progress of Nigeria on UN Sustainable Development Goals such as reduction in infant mortality from preventable diseases such as diarrhea and malaria, improved public health and sanitation from reduced open defecation problem and now partnering to reduce HIV related deaths. Its brands, which are popular household names such as Dettol, Mortein and Harpic, have active partnerships with Federal Ministry of Health (MoH), Save the Children (STC), Nigerian Medical association which work to educate new mothers, school children and reach LGAs like Shomolu in Lagos to promote good healthy habits like handwashing and to build a healthier nation.

The Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) is a national non-governmental organization and a leading advocate and provider of sexual and reproductive health services. PPFN is a member of the global movement that strives for universal access to reproductive health services to all (including poor, marginalized, vulnerable and socially excluded people) without discrimination.  According to Dr Ibrahim “this partnership will contribute towards PPFN’s objective of expanding access to quality services particularly for young persons in Nigeria.”

The PPFN and Durex strategic partnership will go a long way in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STIs. It will also contribute to reducing the incidence of unwanted/unplanned pregnancy and unsafe abortion as well as significantly improving the overall level of health and well-being in Nigeria.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Bibeau supports sexual reproductive health, rights

NaijaAgroNet:

The Canadian Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Marie-Claude Bibeau, has announced funding of up to $20 million to organizations supporting sexual and reproductive health and rights, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The Minister revealed this while participating in the She Decides high-level international conference in Brussels, Belgium, saying that Canada’s investment will support five organizations that have a proven track record of delivering results in the area of the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls.

According to her, these organizations must provide critical sexual and reproductive health services and information that advances gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in the developing world.

NaijaAgroNet also gathered that the funding is part of Canada’s comprehensive approach to closing existing gaps in reproductive rights and health care services for women.

Canada, NaijaAgroNet reports, remain committed to supporting access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health services and information.

This includes strengthening national health systems, investing in contraceptives, family planning and comprehensive sexuality education, supporting women’s right to choose safe and legal abortions, and access to post-abortion care.

 “Sexual and reproductive health and rights are human rights. All women have the right to choose whether and when they want to have children, and how many. The empowerment of women and girls everywhere in the world begins with their right to be in control of their bodies,” Bibeau said.

NaijaAgroNet recalls that an estimated about 225 million of the world’s women and girls have an unmet need for modern contraception.

Whereas, NaijaAgroNet reports that maternal mortality is unacceptably high with the global record showed that about 830 women die from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth every day. Just as every year, an estimated 22 million women and girls worldwide put their lives at risk by undergoing unsafe, clandestine abortions.

Nkem Nweke/GEE

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Pix: Claude Bibeau - Canadan minister