Reproductive Health in Nigeria

1st July 2003, by Nduka Ozor, Coordinator
Mgbala Agwa Youths Forum

Introduction

Reproduction, according to Oxford Dictionary is the process of producing young. In human beings and animals, it is the process of producing younger ones by the act of mating or sexual intercourse. In Nigeria, reproduction surpasses the above definition. It is more philosophical; African philosophy sees reproduction as one of the purpose of human existence. A person is not considered as having attained the fulfillment of human life simply by being rich, it is the man that has numerous children that is believed to have lived a successful and fulfilled life. No matter how much rich a person may be, no matter the number of yam bans or material wealth one may acquire, if he has no children, his life is considered a frustrated life. A childless life is a frustrated life; to be childless is to have missed the goal of human existence. Behind longing for children is a longing for continued, interminable life here on earth.

This as it may, has precipitated the bearing of many children by some families in Nigeria. Further to the above, is the certainty of death. An average Nigerian couple, irrespective of the poverty level does not believe in having one or two children, this is because of the assumptions that death may strike at any time, given the lack of medical facilities. Therefore, when one has a child, and death occurs, the couple may live terribly the rest of their life, the man may marry another wife even at an older age.

In some communities, wealth is measured by the numbers of children one has, despite the lack of materials for their upbringing. It is believed that, children will grow up to take care of their parents, and the younger ones as a generated wealth.

That is why there has not been any proper legislation on the numbers of children a couple should produce.

“Mrs. Loveth Ogbonna, married at the age of 18 years and within 15 years she had ten children. When confronted, she said that ‘children are the gifts of God’ and that, she will finish every child in her stomach’’. At the next pregnancy, she died without delivering the 11th one (out of the millions God deposited in her?)’’ Ignorance has been the bane of many Nigerian women, especially in the rural communities.

Abortions

Abortion is not legalized in Nigeria; the Christian group sees it as promotion of sexual promiscuity. Even at its legality it may not achieve the intended goals due to rural settings. Most communities in Nigeria are out of reach, due to lack of modern communication systems, modern data collection system good roads network etc. It will therefore be difficult to communicate or enforce such policies if adopted.

Empirical study of aggregate relationship between contraceptive use and induce abortion will only be limited to the few communities / urban areas where reasonably reliable information exist. Despite this severe limitation, studies have shown ample illustration of the interaction between these factors.

The legality of abortion and provision of other surveillance systems may impact positively to the reproductive health of Nigeria if effectively and radically applied. If abortion is legalized, maternal mortality and morbidity will reduce drastically.

Communication in Reproductive Health

Partners communication, which in some ways is related to self-efficacy, pertains to the practice of discussing reproductive health risk e.g.; unwanted pregnancy, sexual transmitted infection (STI), negotiating sex and contraceptive or condom use with sexual partners alike. Parents feel shy to discuss sex with their children, sometimes with their spouse; a situation that expose teens and youths to learn the bad side of sexual relationship. In the developed countries, programs that have emphasized specific skills, such as partner communication or negotiation skills have been more effective than programs that stress general knowledge especially in developing countries, Nigeria inclusive.

However, these skills or negotiation have impacted positively to reproductive health. Negotiation with sex partners, give the partners the much-needed knowledge for prevention of STI, HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancies.

Like in other educated population and work forces, they are the prerequisites to achieving National health and self -sustainable development combined with sound macroeconomic policies. Education promotes well being and proper knowledge of sexually risky behaviors and its consequences. It influences country’s competitiveness in all spheres, the success of which is knowledge dependent.

Communication skill and education will affect the reproductive health in our communities positively. It will contribute to the behaviors and cultural changes such as female empowerment and decision making with regards to child bearing.

It fundamentally affects young people’s reproductive lives especially in women. These are in the area of delay marriage, and child bearing, spacing of children, contraceptive use or having fewer children and healthier babies, have strong decision making, negotiation skill as well as self-esteem, and avoid commercial sex. It also reflects the relative effectiveness of ensuring that a child grows up to practice healthy behaviors, it offers itself in the area of reducing the social and economic vulnerability that expose women to a higher risk of HIV/AIDS and STI’s.

According to commercial sex-workers in most Nigerian Cities, they are driven to the illicit trade because of economic hardship, not minding the consequences of the trade.

Efforts have been made recently to dissuade young girls from this immoral juvenile trade prevalent in the South East, South- South, and Niger Delta part of Nigeria.

Non Governmental Organizations, CBO’s like Mgbala Agwa Youth Forum have been carrying awareness campaigns on the dangers of hawking sex, yet more players are needed to complement these efforts and achieve the desired result. The government is beginning to take appropriate steps to curtail the influx of our young girls to international and local prostitution. Rehabilitation centers are emerging to encourage them to take up useful trades like fashion designing, hairdressing, bakery, etc. The sustenance of these programs will reduce the appetite of these young girls who travel abroad for prostitution thereby reducing the transmissions of HIV/AIDS, STI's within and outside Nigeria.

International communities and Donor Agencies should encourage Community Based Organizations in the efforts and campaigns against these vehicles of lust.