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Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) has said it is safe for teenagers to use contraceptives. ZNFPC said some parents were already taking their children to health centres for counselling after failing to “control” them. The ZNFPC’s marketing and communications manager Simion Chikwizo said people are educated on the different methods they could use.
“Generally all methods are safe across the reproductive life cycle. However, clients are educated on provision of methods and are also advised to return if they experience any side effects. There are different types of contraceptives ranging from hormonal to non-hormonal. However, the majority of people enjoy the contraceptive benefits. Like any other medication some people may experience manageable side effects on contraceptive use including sexually active adolescents,” he said.
Chikwizo was responding to The Chronicle questions on the effects of contraceptives on teenagers following a proposal that girls of at least 16 years should be allowed access to contraceptives to reduce maternal mortality among adolescents.
Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe director-general Gugu Mahlangu last week told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development that a number of young girls died from pregnancy-related complications, hence the need to protect them.
“Sexuality comes with responsibility. As soon as one feels they are sexually active, it is their responsibility to prevent against STIs including HIV and Aids as well as unwanted pregnancies.
“Some parents actually bring their teenagers to the health centres after failing to control them or discovering that they are now sexually active for counselling by health service providers,” said Chikwizo. He quashed concerns by some parents that the early use of contraceptives in teenagers could cause infertility saying it was untrue.
“There is immediate return to fertility for most people once they stop using contraceptives. However, few clients take different times to return to fertility after stopping the use of hormonal contraceptives. Clients are counselled thoroughly on all the methods available so that they are able to make a choice,” said Chikwizo
He said his organisation teaches young people on adolescent sexual and reproductive health issues including life skills and assertiveness, the key message being abstinence. “Barrier methods like condoms have long term benefits of prevention of Human Papilloma virus which predisposes to cancer of the cervix. We also encourage Parent to Child Communication (PCC), where parents communicate openly with their children and young adults on sexuality and Right- based issues. This is when parents can transfer their own values to teenagers,” said Chikwizo.
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