Dr Abdoul Rahim Sana, a gynecologist-obstetrician at the Gaoua Regional Hospital Center in Burkina Faso, has spoken out about the low use of modern contraceptives among young people in the country. In an interview with Burkina 24, Dr Sana explained that despite awareness campaigns and the availability of contraceptive methods, many young people are not using them. He attributes this to a lack of information, sociocultural barriers, and inadequate health services.
Dr Sana's background in sexual and reproductive health includes a degree in medicine, a university diploma in sexual and reproductive health, and certifications in maternal and neonatal health promotion and violence prevention. He has worked in rural areas, gaining experience in community interventions, and conducts communication and awareness activities on health topics affecting young people, adolescents, mothers, and children.
According to Dr Sana, one major challenge is the distinction between the availability of contraceptive methods in health facilities and young people's access to them. He notes that even when methods are available, young people may not have the correct information about them, including their availability, usage, and potential side effects. Sociocultural representations also play a role, as young people who seek contraceptives may be perceived as having an active or degraded sexuality.
Dr Sana identifies five main categories of factors that hinder young people's use of modern contraceptives. These include sociocultural obstacles, such as the taboo surrounding sexuality and contraception in families, and information-related obstacles, where young people lack access to reliable information about contraceptive methods. Health service-related obstacles, such as inconvenient hours or judgmental health personnel, also pose a challenge.
Economic and geographical obstacles, including indirect costs associated with accessing health facilities, and gender and power dynamics, where young girls may not have the power to negotiate contraceptive use with their partners, are additional factors. Dr Sana emphasizes that many adolescents turn to contraceptives because their partners refuse to accompany them in abstinence or pregnancy prevention, and the responsibility for pregnancy is often attributed to the girl.
Dr Sana addresses concerns that modern contraceptives can cause infertility or long-term complications, citing scientific evidence that shows no direct link between the two. He explains that modern contraceptive methods offered in health services are reversible, meaning that fertility returns once the method is stopped.
Dr Sana's insights highlight the need for improved access to information, education, and health services that cater to young people's needs. By addressing these challenges, Burkina Faso can work towards increasing the use of modern contraceptives among young people and reducing the risks associated with unintended pregnancies.
Key points
- Sociocultural obstacles, lack of information, and inadequate health services contribute to low contraceptive use among young people in Burkina Faso.
