Ethiopia is one of the developing nations with more than 115 million inhabitants. It is the least urbanized country in which only 20 percent of the population is residing in the urban centers while the rest is a rural community engaging in the primary economic activities.
According to experts, 70 percent of the population is below the age of 30; which indicates a greater level of dependency ratio. Hence, strengthening the use of family planning methods properly is critical to harness the demographic dividend in addition to decreasing the rate of dependency. Dr. Feiruz Awkash is a Medical Director at the Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC).
As for him, implementing family planning methods has several benefits. Among others, managing reproductive and fertility rates through the implementation of contraceptive mechanisms can be mentioned. If properly taken, a contraceptive measure can be effective, and currently, 98 percent of women who use the method have been successful at preventing pregnancy.
In Ethiopia, though it varies from region to region, the prevalence of utilizing contraceptives is 42 percent. Particularly in the peripheral regions of the country, the prevalence rate is very low. For example, the rate in the Somali Region is estimated to be 1 to 2 percent which is the lowest. While talking about the experience he has had in the Somali region during his field visit, Dr. Feiruze remembers that the Region’s Bureau of family planning told him that he is the father of 13 children. Contrary to this, the prevalence of contraceptive utilization in the capital is 80 percent which clearly shows the massive variation between regions.
As to him, the utilization of contraceptives among women is directly related to education. Females who have had exposure to education since they start bodily sexual contact with the opposite sex, better practice contraceptive. Unfortunately, currently, the utilization of contraceptives in the country has been politicized which is amazing. When family planners propose the administration of the medicine used for protecting women from unwanted pregnancy, some community leaders in the regions reject and accused the prescription as if intended to depopulate the community.
As the result, the effort to attain the targeted achievement in family planning faced challenges. Hence, bringing attitudinal change in this regard needs unrestrained effort, he opined.
The culture of using contraceptives in the urban areas is expanding and unmarried women used Intra-Uterine device /IUD/ which is a piece of T shaped plastic about the size of the quarter that is placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy but female youth-only focus on using post peal only to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy, and sadly they ignored their vulnerability to HIV AIDS and it is a mystery why they develop such a sense of security. They would rather better not practice sexual intercourse without no using condoms before marriage. Family planning and its implementation also contribute to the well-being of family health as protecting mothers’ health is essential.
To reduce maternal death; mothers should give birth in hospitals and health centers. During their pregnancy, they should get pre-delivery advice from medical professionals and maintain follow-up in the post-delivery time to prevent pregnancy and childbirth-related complications and deaths. A woman can give birth while she is between the ages of 18 to 40.
As to Feiruze, 40 years ago the average fertility rate in our country was 6.9 percent but currently, it has reduced to four percent. Even though the utilization of contraceptives is expanding, it does not bring a substantial impact in reducing the fertility rate which in turn is unable to bring demographic dividend.
Therefore, formulating and implementing new policies is essential. In the rural part of the country, early marriage is continued unabatedly which again increases the fertility rate. A woman, who began to give birth at the age of 15, will continue to give birth up to the age of 40 and on average totally she has the capacity to give birth up to 20 children which creates a high dependency rate. But it is possible to reduce the rate if the woman begins giving birth at the age of 25.
In the rural parts of the country, the child is still regarded as an asset; and that is why the high fertility rate prevails. Demographic dividend can be attained when the number of the productive age group is increased; and when the number of dependent age groups that are above 65 and below 18 is decreased. In this regard, some developing countries are effective in implementing family planning and showing progress in reducing dependent age groups. Kenya can be the case in point. Family planning and using contraceptive prevalence rate rose to 5o percent. The fertility rate is reduced to 3.2 percent as the result, bringing population pyramid change is realized and population growth has been slower and slower. North African countries achieved tremendous results in reducing population growth and enhancing the number of productive age groups.
As to Fairuz, if it is properly managed, the population can be an asset and serve as an economic growth engine. It meets labor demand, can be productive and consumer by creating a market. The other way round, if it is unqualified and uneducated, it might be a burden on society.
Therefore, to reduce the dependency ratio and fertility rate, enhancing the utilization of contraceptives and implementing family planning are essential. In this regard, the media can play its part in inculcating the value of contraceptives to women and family members.