1.1 Introduction
Birth control is a practice by which couples space the number of years between children they plan to have. It is widely reported that people who do not use any birth control plan may lack access or face barriers to using it. Birth control involves one or more actions, devices, sexual practices, or medications to intentionally prevent or reduce the likelihood of pregnancy or childbirth (Chandra-Mouli et al., 2014; UN, 2015). While contraception is the use of various devices, drugs, agents, sexual practices, or surgical procedures to prevent conception or pregnancy. In this present age, contraceptive use helps couples and individuals realize their basic right to decide freely and responsibly if and when they want to have a baby (United Nations, 2015; Nordqvist, 2019). When considering the global impact, a staggeringly large percentage of global pregnancies (40%) are unintended (Sedgh et al., 2014). This is in part due to the worldwide variation of access to healthcare and contraception, as well as the differing needs for contraceptives that are not met by the current market.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Over the years, especially in Africa, the need for birth control (contraception) of population using female methods of the pill, injectables etc have been adapted. Before now only the condom and withdrawal method has been used by men. The use of contraceptives by both males and females has been accepted and widely practiced in the developed world. This has not been the case in the developing world where the male chauvinistic cultural belief that women should protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies; instead of the men also making it possible to use contraceptives. The act of child bearing is the combined effort of both males and females, but in the developing world; it is seen as a primary function of the female gender. This is the reason why the usage of contraceptives among men in these areas has not been encouraged as the female contraceptives. The patriarchal nature of the African society does not seem to help or encourage male contraception rather it makes men to believe that they do not have any role to play in reproductive health.
Emergency contraception (EC) can significantly reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions especially in Nigeria. Despite the increasing awareness of EC among educated young women in Nigeria, the rate of utilization remains low. This study therefore explores the health implication of contraceptive among female secondary school. The use of EC to analyze their knowledge of emergency contraception, methods ever used, perceived efficacy, and its acceptability.
Participants considered the use of condom and abstinence as the most effective methods of preventing unplanned pregnancy.
Emergency contraception is the use of a drug or device to prevent pregnancy. It could be used after an unprotected sexual intercourse, contraceptive failure, and coerced unprotected sex or in cases of sexual assault. Studies have shown that the rate of unplanned pregnancy is very high worldwide and unwanted pregnancy is the main reason women seek abortion. Emergency contraception could be very crucial in preventing unplanned pregnancies in settings where abortion is illegal, however, following the evidence presented in the literature, emergency contraception has not been demonstrated to have a population level impact with regards to the reduction in the rate of unplanned pregnancies.
Globally, many unplanned pregnancies end up being aborted in safe and unsafe conditions. In Nigeria, over half of unplanned pregnancies are aborted in unsafe conditions leading to deaths and serious complications. Abortion-related mortality accounts for an estimated 8 % of global maternal deaths. Distressingly, half of the abortion-related mortality occurs among young women especially in secondary school in Nigeria. This clearly suggests that secondary school girls as a demographic segment have a special need for emergency contraception.
The health implication of contraceptive must be studied to know whether it have negative or positive effect among secondary school girls; when taken in the middle of the menstrual cycle, the preparation may inhibit ovulation. The pill can cause changes in the menstrual cycle in the lady. Your next period could start earlier or later than expected and flow can be lighter or heavier than normal. It can cause nauseating feeling which occurs in approximately 25% of users vomiting. It can also bring about bleeding disturbances in some cases, 2-3 days following tablet ingestion .Sometimes it can cause breast tenderness, headache, dizziness, fatigue.
In the majority of cases the next period starts as expected or somewhat earlier, if the period is more than 7 days late it is recommended to perform a pregnancy test. In case of prolonged or heavy bleeding, gynecological examinations are advised. If the user has a reported case of asthma, heart failure, hypertension, migraine, epilepsy, renal impairment, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, depression, and / or stroke, the preparation may be used exclusively in the above mentioned emergency cases. It is not appropriate for regular use. Contraceptive is actually a very harsh drugs on young girls, most of the secondary school girls may not follow the directives and it can cause damage to their health.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Birth Control Challenges and Solutions.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that sexual education in most of our homes are poor, with the belief that being sexually educated will make the student to be promiscuous or to test what they have learnt. But we all know that our society have overgrown such belief, and they will always have coitus, whether they are educated or not. They will always be influenced by their peer groups and those who are not yet exposed will learn the act in a negative way. This being the case, the onus now rests on adults to educate the teenage or early adult group on what the reproductive organs stand for, the usage of contraceptives to reduce the incidence of unwanted pregnancies or even infections in the reproductive system.
The need for this study is to stimulate parents and school authorities to educate our younger generations to be well equipped with the knowledge of family planning. Failure of this taking place will lead to an increase in the number of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and undue population rise in the society.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the Birth Control Challenges and Solutions. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the practice of male birth control among the students.
- To assess the factors that influence the use of these contraceptives in this age group of students.
- To proffer solution to the problem of birth control among male students of Federal College of Education Technical Asaba on male contraception.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there factors that influence the use of these contraceptives in this age group of students?
- What is the practice of male birth control among the students?
- What are the problems of birth control and possible solution?
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