3. 03.2021
   

Myths are widely held but false beliefs or ideas. In a typical African tradition, there are handful of myths which revolved around different issues in almost every Community. There is no gain saying some misinformed persons are bounded by such strong beliefs which are passed over to the incoming generation.

Given Nigeria’s prevailing statistics on maternal and infant mortality which is on the increase (Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey 2020), it behoove on all stakeholders particularly medical and media professionals to intensify and sustain advocacy and public enlightenment with a view to correcting the erroneous beliefs primarily for reasons of safeguarding and improving the health of Mother and child, and other socio- economic benefits as well as. Unless urgent and deliberate practical measures are taken to change the mind set of the people on issues of myths and beliefs and often misguided religion view positions as it relates to family planning such will continue to impact negatively on the gains on reproductive health care and sustanaible development goal number 3 (Good Health and Well-being) in Nigeria.

*Myth: says ” The use of family planning methods encourages promiscuity (Sleeping around with Men) in Women”.
Fact: Promiscuity is the practice of having sex frequently with different partners. Sexual responsibility is a personal decision. A man or woman who is promiscuios, will be, regardless of whether they use family planning or not. Asides from the barrier family planning methods such as male condoms, other modern family planning methods do not protect from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV.
Myth : Use of modern family planning methods at a young age can cause infertility and prevent one from getting pregnant in the future.
Fact: Young woman’s fertility does not remain stagnant, but changes over the years as she grows older and experiences both physical and non-physical challenges in her body systems. There are permanent and temporary modern family planning methods. The permanent can not be reversed. A woman can use temporary modern family planning methods and reassured that when she discontinues the methods, she will be able to have children as she was before starting the methods. For most methods, fertility returns soon after the methods is discontinued while for the injectable, there might be some delay. In time, the woman will return to her own fertility.Temporary family planning methods DO NOT cause infertility. Infertility can be caused by a number of reasons and use of family planning is not one of them.
Myth: Use of modern family planning methods causes high blood pressure
Fact: Clients with increase risk of high blood pressure are not medically eligible to use certain contraceptive pills (COCs). There are some risk factors such as cigarettes smoking, other underlying disease conditions, family history of high blood pressure or even an unhealthy lifestyle that could also make using certain contraceptives like the pills cause abit of an increase in blood pressure. Speak to a trained family planning provider about deciding on the contraceptive methods that best suits you
Myth: A woman can not get pregnant soon after delivery if her menses has not returned.
Fact: A woman is at the risk of unintended pregnancy soon after delivery. This is because in the woman’s monthly cycle, the body usually releases eggs (ovulation) before menstruation occurs. During this period, one of the eggs can be fertilized, resulting in pregnancy. It’s therefore, recommended that she commenced a family planning methods soon after delivery, even if her menses has not returned since she cannot tell when the eggs will be released.

*Myth: Implants and IUDs move from the location inserted to another parts of the body.
Fact: Implants are small rods or capsules (about the size of a match stick) that are inserted under the skin of the upper arm in a minor non – surgical procedure. When correctly inserted by trained family planning providers, Implants and IUDs remain where they were inserted.
Myth: Family planning methods causes permanent undesired effects
Fact: Undesired/side effects of modern contraceptive methods are unwanted symptoms caused by the use of modern contraceptives. These side effects are not signs of illness. These are temporary and limited to the continued use of the contraceptive methods. A woman should ask her provider about possible side effects when going for a method. Not all women experience side effects; some women do not have them, they become less or stop within a short period.

NB: This piece was first published in 2020 by the Author.

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Family Planning: Myths Versus Facts – Godwin Moses