11th July, 2017
As Nigerians join the world to mark the 2017 World Population Day on July 11, some medical stakeholders on Monday advocated for the need for Nigerians to adopt family planning to regulate population growth and reduce maternal deaths.
The stakeholders, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, also called for more investment in Family Planning methods to provide adequate sexual and reproductive health services in the country.
The theme for 2017 World Population Day is: “Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing Nations’’.
As at Monday, July 10, a website, www.worldometers estimates the current population of Nigeria to be at 191,892,343, based on the latest United Nations (UN) estimates.
Nigeria’s population is equivalent to 2.55 per cent of the total world population of 7.6 billion and ranks the country number seven in the list of countries and dependencies by population.
According to the stakeholders, the Nigerian environment, its natural resources, economy and facilities are fast being degraded and consumed as a result of human population increase.
Dr Nze Egbule, a public health expert said: “Population growth in Nigeria is very fast and influences different spheres of people’s lives.
“Nigeria is a country with the largest human population in Africa and popularly regarded as the `Giant of Africa’ for its population.
“Some of the imminent and unavoidable results of the continuous increase in human population include human congestion, high unemployment rate, environmental pollution and degradation, depletion of resources and weather modification.
“Unhygienic living conditions, elevated crime rate, conflicts, political instability, scarce resources, hunger and high rates of disease spread.’’
A major factor that triggers population growth is increased birth rate, and there is a need for Nigerians to be properly educated on the need to control birth rate and the consequent advantages, he said.
Mr Kabir Abdullahi, the Kaduna State Team Leader of Nigeria Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI), said: “The theme for this year’s world population day is apt.
“Nigeria contributes about 10 per cent of global maternal mortality case load and it is second only to India.
“India’s population is about 1.2 billion people, while Nigeria is over 170 million people.
“But, Nigeria contributes about 33,000 maternal deaths annually which is equivalent to about 90 women dying daily as a result of pregnancy complications in Nigeria.
“This also translates to about four women dying per hour.’’
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According to him, trends on maternal mortality show Nigeria as having less than two percent of India’s population or global population, yet contribute to about 10 percent of global maternal mortality.
“In terms of ratio, one in 13 Nigerian women is at an elevated and high risk of maternal deaths, compared to one in 26 for sub-Saharan Africa.
“This is a reflection of our society and how we prioritise the lives of women in our society; the major causes and issues are related to our birthing practices.
“Our birthing practice is such that we have a desire for large family sizes and also have issues related to medical skills and logistics.
“We also have issues related and similar to non-use of contraceptives,’’ he said.
“Contraceptive utilisation in Nigeria is about 15 per cent but for modern contraceptive, it is about 10 percent.
“That means that only one woman out of every 10 is likely to be using contraceptives in Nigeria.
“But the concept of family planning allows families to space births, control population and see to the improved health of the mother, child, father, family and the nation at large,’’ Kabir said.
Also, Dr Adeola Duduyemi, Programme Officer, Service Delivery, NURHI 2, said there were many advantages to family planning, especially in relation to population control.
“Family planning has an impact on planet earth as it mitigates population growth’s effect on access to water and sanitation.
“With family planning, integrated population, health and environment projects can expand, thereby giving opportunities to expand access to clean and renewable energy.
“Family planning contributes to building safe, resilient infrastructure and sustainable cities.’’
According to Duduyemi, family planning also helps to reduce population effects on food and chemical waste.
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“When the planet is over populated, a lot of waste and toxic activities will be generated; it affects the ecosystem, life on land, in the air and water.
“When the population is controlled, declining marine resources will be protected and challenges in climate change will be addressed.
“Likewise, the effects of deforestation and unhealthy interactions among humans, domestic animals and wildlife would be mitigated,’’ Duduyemi said.
“Family Planning has a great impact on the health of the woman, her spouse and the family.
“It saves lives, contributes to improved nutrition outcomes, supports women and girls’ education, and helps to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS, as well as advances gender equality and empowerment.
“Family planning helps to check poverty, population growth and the number of dependent citizens at particular points in time.
“It contributes to economic growth and gives room for more numbers of working-age Nigerians to support younger and older dependents,’’ he said.
Mrs Cecilia Oluborode, Chief Nursing Officer at Ibafon PHC, said: “Though the decision to use an FP method is a voluntary one, the user should, however, be well informed.
“This is because there are many methods to use and each has advantages and minimal disadvantages, depending on someone’s body system.
“There are five main types of family planning methods; they are barrier methods, hormonal methods, use of IUDs, natural methods and permanent methods.
“Experts advise that a person seeks counselling and testing from a qualified FP provider before using any method; that way, the most suitable one for the person’s body will be recommended,’’ Oluborode said.