Family Planning:
The Contraceptive Prevalence and Fertility Determinants
Survey (1990) revealed that only 6.7% of the Gambian
population uses contraceptives. Although agencies such
as The Gambia Family Planning Association (GFPA) encourage
the use of contraceptives, family planning continues
to meet with resistance for a number of reasons. One
major factor that affects the utilization of contraceptives
is the husband’s role in determining the family size.
Many husbands do not support the use birth control because
they desire to have many children. Another deterrent
to family planning is the practice of polygamy. In fact,
over half of married women and over a third of married
men are in a polygamous relationship.
Finally, many feel that family planning goes against
the teaching of Islam and the Koran. The Islamic Sharia
Law encourages a pro-natalist attitude and a preference
for male children. A woman’s age and educational status
figure into her attitudes about family because a woman
with little education or who marries at an early age
is likely to have more children. According to the WHO,
in 2004, the birth rate was 4.6. Many West African women
still desire to have reproductive freedom and choose
to take advantage of family planning methods, such as
the pill, which is usually offered free of charge and
without a prescription.
Condom & Birth Control:
Condoms are available at Family Planning clinics. Survey
data indicate that contraceptive and condom use is low
but is rising in The Gambia. The contraceptive prevalence
rate for modern methods is about 13 percent (UNFPA,
2001 and Maternal Mortality Survey, 2002). Condom use
(for family planning and/or STI/HIV/AIDS prevention)
accounts for less than a quarter of modern method use
(UNFPA). While condoms are not a popular family planning
method, there is growing evidence that condom use is
increasing for STI/HIV/AIDS prevention, especially among
youth. A survey estimated condom use at 34 percent among
1,000 unmarried youth (NACP, 2001).
Depo - Provera injections are also available. By far
the most popular form of birth control is breast feeding,
which is effective for about two years. 15% of single
females have been pregnant once and over 65% of these
pregnancies were unplanned. A legal abortion is attainable,
but two doctors must concur in order for a woman to
have a therapeutic abortion. |
