Black Maternal Health Week, observed annually from April 11 to 17, serves as a poignant reminder of the pressing need to address maternal mortality worldwide. In Nigeria, where maternal deaths remain alarmingly high, the focus on family planning emerges as a crucial strategy for combating this issue. This report delves into the significance of family planning in reducing maternal mortality rates and explores the challenges and opportunities surrounding its implementation in Nigeria.
Understanding Maternal Mortality
Maternal mortality, defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of delivery, persists as a multifaceted challenge made worse by various socio-economic factors. In Nigeria, recent statistics underscore the severity of the issue, with the country ranking second globally in maternal mortality rates, trailing only behind India. While India contributed to 17% of maternal deaths in the world, Nigeria accounted for at least 12%, according to the report by WHO.
Can Family Planning Help?
Family planning emerges as a pivotal intervention in mitigating maternal mortality rates. By enabling individuals to make informed choices regarding the timing and spacing of pregnancies, family planning not only promotes maternal and child health but also reduces the risk of pregnancy-related complications. Modern contraceptive methods offer a spectrum of options, ranging from pills to surgical procedures, empowering individuals to plan their families effectively
Olorunnimbe Mamora, an ex-minister of State for Health, lamented the high incidence of maternal deaths in the country during a media launch of the National Family Planning Campaign by the Rotary Action Group for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health (RMCH).
He extolled the virtues of family planning, adding: “Family planning promotes maternal and child survival, with a potential for reducing maternal and child mortality and morbidity by 30 percent.”
Esther Somefun, a gender and reproductive health analyst, believes that more than 31,000 women could be saved from pregnancy-related deaths through information relating to family planning and critical services.
Expert’s insights
Public health experts emphasize the critical role of family planning in averting pregnancy-related complications. Philip Obaniyi highlights the correlation between closely spaced pregnancies and heightened risks of complications during childbirth.
“A woman who does not space out her pregnancies may experience complications before and during labor. The higher the number of pregnancies, the greater the risk of complications,” he told Prime Progress.
Obaniyi’s views reflect a general consensus in reproductive health advocating for optimal spacing of pregnancies, and citing recommendations of waiting between 18 and 24 months postpartum before attempting another pregnancy. Besides, recent studies indicate that closely spaced pregnancies may elevate the risk of autism in second-born children, particularly if pregnancies are spaced less than 12 months apart.
Challenges
Despite the evident benefits of family planning, Nigeria grapples with numerous challenges in its implementation. Restricted access to information and services, coupled with cultural and religious beliefs, hinders widespread adoption of contraceptive methods. Nigeria’s contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) among women aged 15–49 stands at 18%, one of the lowest in the global hierarchy.
The absence of allocated funds for family planning initiatives in the national budget further underscores the urgent need for prioritization and increased investment in this area
By prioritizing access to comprehensive family planning services and dispelling myths surrounding contraceptive use, Nigeria can significantly reduce maternal mortality rates and safeguard the health and well-being of its women. “Every family that is well-planned,” Obaniyi said, “is a happy family.”
Black Maternal Health Week, observed from April 11 to 17, highlights the global issue of maternal mortality, with a particular focus on Nigeria where maternal deaths are extremely high. Nigeria ranks second globally in maternal mortality rates, contributing 12% of the world’s maternal deaths.
Family planning is identified as a critical intervention to reduce these rates by enabling individuals to make informed choices about pregnancy timing and spacing, thus reducing risks of complications. Experts argue that optimal spacing between pregnancies can significantly lower maternal and child mortality rates. Challenges in Nigeria include limited access to family planning information and services, cultural and religious resistance, and a lack of funding in national budgets.
Increased investment and prioritization of comprehensive family planning services are essential to reducing maternal mortality rates and improving the health and well-being of Nigerian women.
