Akena Plus Health, a non-governmental research organization in Nigeria, has addressed the misconception that certain contraceptive methods, particularly the Depot-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate-Sub Cutaneous (DMPA-SC), contribute to infertility among women. During a recent event focused on the findings from the Innovation for Choice and Autonomy (ICAN) project, stakeholders from the health sector were encouraged to promote various family planning methods to help reduce mortality rates associated with childbirth, facilitate proper child spacing, and avoid unwanted pregnancies. The organization specifically urged Nigerian women and girls to consider the DMPA-SC method as an effective means for controlling their reproductive health.
The ICAN project, a four-year initiative that commenced in 2019, spanned across Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda, with Akena Plus Health Trust leading the effort in Nigeria. Enugu State was chosen as a focal point due to its commendable progress in implementing family planning programs, particularly with DMPA-SC. Program Manager Mrs. Chioma Okoli outlined the project’s goals, which included conducting implementation research in several Nigerian states. This research aimed to gather evidence-based data that would be vital for scaling up access to self-injected DMPA-SC throughout the country, demonstrating the clear connection between availability and informed choices in reproductive health.
Akena Plus Health Trust collaborated with key partners involved in the implementation of DMPA-SC, which included the Association for Reproductive and Family Health and the Society for Family Health. Their collective research efforts focused on evaluating the contraceptive experiences of women utilizing DMPA-SC, as well as assessing the training and performance of healthcare providers in delivering these services. The research sought to uncover insights into the quality and accessibility of counseling provided to women and identified the support healthcare providers require to enhance the delivery of DMPA-SC.
In the course of the study, over 400 women engaged in interviews aimed at understanding their contraceptive journeys, alongside healthcare providers from both public and private sectors. Programmes Officer Ms. Aminat Tijani shared significant findings regarding the accessibility of contraception for women in the study areas, further solidifying the need for continuous education and improved health services. FP coordinator for Enugu State, Mrs. Maureen Nwankwo, reiterated the importance of debunking myths surrounding contraceptive use, reaffirming that DMPA-SC does not lead to infertility.
Mrs. Celine Idoko, the family planning supervisor for Ezeagu Local Government Area, emphasized the strides made in educating local women about family planning options. She noted a cultural shift where women are increasingly aware of their reproductive choices and are opting to space their children rather than having numerous unplanned births. This newfound perspective encourages a more thoughtful approach to parenthood and family size, allowing women to provide better care and opportunities for the children they choose to have.
Overall, the findings and messages shared during the dissemination event highlight the significant progress being made in family planning initiatives, particularly through the DMPA-SC method. Akena Plus Health’s advocacy demonstrates a commitment to eradicating misconceptions that inhibit women’s reproductive autonomy while promoting practices that ensure safer pregnancies and healthier families. The research underscores the importance of informed choices and comprehensive support systems in empowering women throughout Nigeria to take charge of their reproductive health.
