More Nigerians are now embracing family planning methods, according to records compiled in the last six months.
This was revealed by Hajia Mariam Balogun, the Ilorin East Local Government Area Family Planning (FP) Supervisor.
She said more people are recorded accessing family planning consumables in the area.
Balogun stated this on Thursday, during an investigative field trip by Media Advocacy Group on FP in Kwara, at the Okelele Primary Health Care Centre in Ilorin.
According to her, the centre, in the last six months, has recorded about 300 people who came to access family planning methods on child spacing.
She said that the number was increasing daily, as more people were becoming aware of the merits of the methods.
Balogun stated that with the help of The Challenge Initiative, Nigeria (TCI), the FP consumables were given free of charge.
The supervisor observed that some parents brought their wards to receive counseling and consumables to guard against unwanted pregnancies.
Balogun listed some of the contraceptive methods to include male condom, implant, injectables, Intra Uterine Device, oral contraception pills, tubal ligation and vasectomy.
She advised parents to protect their adolescent wards against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy.
Balogun observed that there were still misconceptions and lack of knowledge by some people regarding family planning.
She said that most of the misconceptions were due to heresy in the grapevine.
The official said that though it was safe to use family planning methods, some people could develop side effects, but they could be easily handled in the clinic.
Also speaking, Mrs Memunat Isiaka, the Community Mobiliser on family planning in Okelele Primary Healthcare Centre, emphasised the importance of enlightening the public on the practice.
She said that they used megaphone and door-to-door awareness campaigns to local communities to engage with them on various messages.
According to her, this has yielded great results as people are increasingly becoming interested in family planning in Kwara.
Isiaka warned that those who use family planning methods should avoid indiscriminate sexual practices and stick to one partner.
NAN
