Residents of Busia County have been urged to use the available methods of contraceptives to plan their families.
Speaking during a forum to mark the World Contraceptive Day at Nambale Sub County on Thursday, Busia County Director of Medical Services, Dr. Janerose Ambuchi said that contraceptive uptake was still very low.
“We are currently at 30% on contraceptive uptake which is low compared to 57% nationally,” she said,”
Dr. Ambuchi stated that a section of the local residents’ fears what they term as the negative effects of the contraceptive use while others have to seek consent from their spouses before making the decision on which method to use.
‘Some are not able to visit the health facilities to get the contraceptives, while others believe that contraceptives will make them sterile,” she said adding that there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding use of contraceptives.
She encouraged local residents to embrace the use of contraceptives explaining that they are scientifically proven methods that are meant to control and plan families.
‘We are carrying out a lot of sensitization together with partners and community health promoters who visit households,’ she said adding that the CHPs have also been trained to dispense some of these services.
The Director further expressed concern at the rising number of teenage pregnancies within the County.
“In 2022 we were at 18% but now we are at 19% in teenage pregnancy cases. In terms of Sub- counties, Bunyala is leading with 28%, Butula 23.65%, Teso North 23.2%, Nambale 22.9%, Samia 19.13%, Teso south 17.8% Teso central 15.2% Busia-Matayos at 14%,” she said attributing these cases to poverty, poor parental guidelines and misconceptions among the youth.
Sheila Musimbi from Namable Sub County stated that using contraceptives has helped her to provide basic needs to the family without much strain because her family is well planned. She urged women to visit the health facilities and know the best method of contraceptive to use.
“Using contraceptives has helped me to manage my well planned family as I am able to provide the basic needs to my children. I urge women in our county to visit health centers and learn the best method they can use for family planning.” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Josephat Onyango who also urged the men to allow their wives to use contraceptives and the government to do more sensitization in schools on teenage pregnancy.
“I want to plead with my fellow men that we allow our wives to use contraceptive as it will help us get desired size of families which we can manage during these harsh economic times. The government should also increase sensitization in schools on teenage pregnancy so that our children can have this information early,” he said.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
