The case for availing contraceptives to protect young people against pregnancies and STIs .

Holding information concerning contraception?from young people can be harmful to them. In Uganda, today, we have registered a record number of teenage pregnancies which could have been avoided had we equipped our young people with the right sexuality education. This should, therefore, serve as a wake up call to create more awareness around contraception and abstinence.

Interviews conducted by the Uganda Radio Network and Daily Monitor with community leaders, volunteers and health workers as the subjects cite that some of the reasons for the increase in young girls getting pregnant are; poverty, lack of access to menstrual products, and most importantly a lack of equitable access to SRHR education and information.

It has been our mandate as an organization for the last 10 years to equip and empower young people with the right information regarding their Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights but there is still a lot that remains to be done.

There are lots of myths and misconceptions around contraception that need to be addressed. The guidance from medical personnel in debunking these will help young people make better choices.

In choosing a method of contraception, dual protection from the simultaneous risk for HIV and other STDs should also should be considered. Although hormonal contraceptives and IUDs are highly effective at preventing pregnancy, they do not protect against STDs, including HIV. Consistent and correct use of condoms reduces the risk for HIV infection and other STDs, including chlamydial infection, gonococcal infection, and trichomoniasis.

Disseminating the right information including comprehensive sexuality education in the community, and access to a range of contraceptive methods will go along way in protecting the lives of our young people and breaking vicious cycles of poverty.