The Sunday News
DESPITE the advantages of long acting reversible contraceptive methods, they are infrequently used in Zimbabwe. A shift from the use of short-acting methods to long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods could help reduce the high rate of unintended pregnancies.
Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) executive director Dr Munyaradzi Murwira said LARCs allow women to have more control over their fertility.
“Effective use of LARCs can reduce maternal and infant mortality by enabling women to delay first births, space births and reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies that might otherwise end in unsafe abortions,” he said.
“Closely spaced pregnancies are more likely to result in low-birth weight babies and interferes with breast-feeding, which has a vital role in child nutrition and in building the child’s resistance against infectious disease.” Therefore family planning reduces maternal and infant mortality, averts unwanted pregnancies which may result in unsafe abortions. This in-turn results in the reduction on Government public health expenditure.
LARCs or long-acting birth control are methods of birth control that provide effective contraception for an extended period without requiring user action.
The following hormonal and non-hormonal long-acting contraceptives are available in Zimbabwe: Implants (Jadelle with two rods and Implanon with one rod) and the non-hormonal intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) — Copper T (popularly known as the loop).
Despite their safety and effectiveness LARCs are underutilised, only 0,4 percent of women in Zimbabwe use IUDs, and only 8,4 percent use sub-dermal implants (MICS, 2014).
Like any medicines or drugs, there can be side effects which will be experienced by a minority of users of these contraceptives. However, it is important to note that side effects differ from method to method and from individual to individual.
Contraceptives side effects include headaches, dizziness, abdominal discomfort, irregular bleeding patterns and weight changes.
“All these side effects are manageable. However, medical and scientific evidence has shown that the benefits of using contraceptives far out-weigh the minor side effects caused by their use,” added Dr Murwira.
The IUCD copper T 380 A is a small, T-shaped, plastic device that is inserted into and left inside the uterus. There are two types of IUDs — the hormonal IUD which releases progestin and is approved for use for up to five years and the copper IUD which does not contain hormones and is approved for use for up to 10 years.
Both types of IUCDs work mainly by preventing fertilisation of the egg by the sperm. The hormonal IUD also thickens cervical mucus, which makes it harder for sperm to enter the uterus and fertilise the egg, and keeps the lining of the uterus thin, which makes it less likely that a fertilised egg will attach to it. In Zimbabwe, only non-hormonal IUCDs are available.
The birth control implant is a single flexible rod about the size of a matchstick that is inserted under the skin in the upper arm. It releases progestin into the body. It protects against pregnancy for up to three years.
The progestin in the implant prevents pregnancy mainly by stopping ovulation. In addition, the progestin in the implant thickens cervical mucus, which makes it harder for the sperm to enter the uterus and fertilise the egg. Progestin also keeps the lining of the uterus thin, making it less likely that a fertilised egg will attach to it.
ZNFPC trains doctors, nurses; pharmacists and other health promoters in family planning so that they give correct information and informed counselling to clients. ZNFPC also conducts work place Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights and HIV health education, training and community health education programmes across the country.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) through the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) continuously reviews and updates the list of medicines based on current evidence and international World Health Organisation (WHO) standards and recommendations,” said Dr Murwira.
“Thus the available LARCs in Zimbabwe are certified both internationally and locally, safe and effective. Family planning products consumers are advised to seek for accurate and correct information from trained health services providers.”
Family planning, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), allows individuals to control the spacing and timing of births, and to attain their desired number of children. In the short-term, this can create the potential for lower maternal and infant mortality rates through fewer unplanned pregnancies, and also reduces HIV transmission, unsafe abortion practices, and enhance education and employment opportunities for women.
The MoHCC and the ZNFPC would like to advise the nation in particular consumers of family planning products, that the contraceptives being used in Zimbabwe have been certified both internationally and locally and found to be safe. The assertions that these medicines are dangerous and cause birth defects are totally false and without any scientific backing, hence there is no need to panic.
- For your questions and answers please write or contact Marketing and Public relations Manager, on 668459, 662789, 0773928373 or email [email protected]; or [email protected]
