Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are an essential element of contraceptive services to reduce risk of unintended pregnancy. However, a reported surge in its misuse among young women has become a matter of concern.
According to the Central and Western Regional Youth Program Officer for Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), Michael Tagoe, excessive use of these contraceptives could lead to serious repercussions.
He said the abuse of these emergency contraceptives could result in problems with conception, menstrual irregularities as well as resistance against contraceptives.
Speaking to ATLFMNEWS, Mr. Tagoe said the urge for young people to access easy and quick contraceptive methods has resulted in the practice.
He notes that, people are not well informed about emergency contraceptives pills adding that they see it as regular method of contraceptive.
“Again if you look at the adverts on radio or on billboards it doesn’t talk about the fact that you are only supposed to take it for emergency cases and it’s not a substitute for regular contraceptive methods. So, we need to educate people, we need to create the awareness so that people will get to know” he said.
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Over the past decade, knowledge and use of ECPs has increased in many sub- Saharan African countries, particularly, among unmarried women in urban areas. As access to ECPs has increased, studies have found that young women may prefer emergency contraception to long-term methods of contraception.
According to Mr. Tagoe, broad sensitization is necessary if the trend should be corrected.
He explained that PPAG will continue to educate through the one-on-one method and media outlets however, stakeholders must also play their role to intensify education for the majority to be reached.
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Source: Emmanuella Ama Gyamfi/ATLFMNEWS
