Survey reveals 36.6 percent of adolescent girls in Nigeria don’t use contraceptive

Survey carried out by the Society for Family Health, SFH, in select-states across Nigeria, has revealed that 36.6% of adolescent girls in the country, do not use or intend to use any method of contraceptive, even as formative research done in Lagos and Kaduna States, further showed that 35% of girls within the adolescent age bracket are sexually active.

Fresh Angle International can report that the Regional Coordinator of Society for Family Health, Ibrahim Hamza, made the revelations in Effurun, Delta State, Thursday August 27, during the closeout meeting of Adolescents 360 (A360) project in Delta State.

According to Ibrahim, 17% of the girls surveyed are married, while 11% were in childbearing stage.

While noting that the trust circle of adolescent girls is very small, the SFH Regional Coordinator, stressed the need for adults to discuss sexual issues with their adolescents, “so that they do not get misinformation outside”.

He explained that the implementation phase of the project, which was carried out in eight states, began January 2018 in Delta State and is expected to round off next month, September.

The next steps of the A360 project, would involve male adolescents, according to Ibrahim, adding that the pilot initiative began January 2016 under the sponsorship of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as well as the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation,

He called for strong commitment from the Delta State Government and Local Government Councils in the state, in terms of financial and technical aspects, to guarantee sustenance of the adolescents A360 project.

The Project Director of Adolescents A360, SFH, Mrs. Fifi Oluwatoyin Ogbondeminu, in her opening remarks, explained that the mission of SFH was to make healthy life for all, especially the poor and vulnerable.

Mrs. Fifi Oluwatoyin Ogbondeminu, giving her opening remarks

She noted that SFH recognizes the importance of partnership in order to meet her set targets, adding that excellence, entrepreneurship, integrity and collaboration, are some of the core values of Society for Family Health, an indigenous organization founded in 1985.

The Executive Director, Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Winful-Orieke Jude, who was represented by the Director of Community Health Services in the agency, Dr. Yinkoro A. Paul, stated that they don’t want to bear children in the midst of extreme poverty, particularly against the challenge of limited job opportunities in the country.

Dr. Yinkore A. Paul, addressing participants

While acknowledging that the state government has it challenges in terms of primary healthcare, Dr. Jude, appealed to SFH to assist in reaching out to other partners to sustain the A360 project.

The Quality Focal Person for SFH, Delta State, Mrs. Imade Tracy, emphasized the imperative for the state government to take ownership of the project, going forward.

The Assistant State Reproductive Health Coordinator, Eke Patience, disclosed that out of 6,780 adolescent girls projected for the A360 project in Delta State, 7,571 girls were captured, accounting for 111.6% beyond the target.

Mrs. Eke Patience, making her keynote remarks

She averred that the project which took place in Warri South Local Government Area only in Delta State, was able to improve the barrier of modern contraceptive methods and improved sexual reproductive health issues among adolescent girls.

One of the 9ja Girls, who benefited from SHF A360 project, Iwoni Blessing Ijeamaka, alongside another beneficiary and a mother, testified that the project has led to acquisition of skills, reduction in the rate of abortion as well as unwanted pregnancies.

One of the 9ja Girls, Iwoni Blessing Ijeamaka (right) & Mrs. Imade Tracy

A Cross Section of participants, during the closeout meeting

Mrs. Eke Patience (6^th left) Mrs. Fifi Oluwatoyin Ogbondeminu (8^th left) Mr. Ibrahim Hamza (9^th left) Dr. Yinkore A. Paul (middle) Mrs. Imade Tracy (7^th right) & others, shortly after the closeout meeting

×