Background/Objective:
Flexi Track Survey conducted by The Challenge Initiative (TCI) Nigeria Hub reveals that the prevailing myths and misconceptions about contraceptives in Abia State is; contraceptives use encourages promiscuity (male 21.5%, female 15.8%), reduces sexual urge (male 16.6%, female 13.2%), leads to infertility (male 24.5%, female 21.4%), causes deformities in infants (male 23.0%, female 19.5%) and causes harm to the womb (male 23.9%, female 22.5%). The objective is to demonstrate the use of SBCC strategies in correcting FP misconceptions for improved access to FP counselling and services.
Materials and Methods:
TCI supported SBCC committee is charged with the responsibility of coordinating all SBCC interventions and leveraging on existing events to spread correct FP messages. Social mobilization is another SBCC strategy used for FP demand generation to improve social norms in favor of FP. Interventions engage young men and women aged 18 to 35 years as Community Mobilizers who carry out Neighborhood Campaigns aimed at generating demand for FP. TCI also worked with Government to adapt and air TV and radio spots on FP.
Results:
SBCC Committee strengthened Government ownership, better coordination of activities, diffusion of FP messages and entrenched sustainability. After these interventions, New FP Acceptors increased from 24,141 during a one year period without TCI support (July 2017 – June 2018) to 66,555 during a one year period of TCI support (July 2018 – June 2019) accounting for 46% increase in New FP Acceptors in Abia State (DHIS2).
Conclusion:
Myths and misconceptions about contraceptives has continued to be a barrier to contraceptive use. There is need to intensify SBCC to motivate women and men of reproductive age to adopt healthy reproductive behaviors. Emphasis should be on using SBCC to dispel myths and misconceptions that contraceptives is dangerous to health, leads to infertility, causes harm to the womb and causes deformities in infants.
