More women taking contraceptive pills–popcom
MORE women are taking contraceptive pills as their preferred modern family planning method, according to the Commission on Population and Development (Popcom).
The Popcom said in a statement that data from the Pharmaceutical Management Information System between 2018 and 2019 reveal an increase in the consumption of both the combined oral contraceptive (COC) at 85 percent and progestogen-only pill (POP) at 42 percent.
Popcom said the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) showed that 1 out of 5 Filipinas take pills as their preferred modern family planning method.
“As we observe WCD [World Contraception Day], we highly encourage couples and individuals to consider the various methods of contraception that are suited to one’s needs and preferences,” Undersecretary Juan Antonio A. Perez III said.
“It could be the best decision they can make for themselves and for their families, especially during the pandemic, as family planning can protect them from the long-term adverse impacts of this health crisis,” the Popcom head added.
The contraceptive pill, which turns “60” this year, has enabled women all over the world to prevent pregnancies.
Popcom said the pill is considered a revolutionary method of family planning. The United Nations estimates that, currently, 151 million women around the globe between 15 years old and 49 years old resort to the pill as their chosen modern contraceptive method.
The call for the greater use of contraception has been on high demand given that younger women are getting pregnant.
Perez said based on the NDHS 2017, around 1 out of 10 women aged 15 to 19 have already started their “sexual debut” and already given birth.
In terms of development, Perez explained that unintended pregnancies borne from the series of lockdowns and quarantines may obstruct women of reproductive age to reach their full potential and to contribute to their family’s development.
“Curiously, Covid-19 has not only taken lives; it is also producing new lives—albeit mistimed,” Perez said. “There are hindrances being caused by the virus in getting across critical items that couples and individuals need at this time, and these might very well include family planning methods and contraceptives.”
Meanwhile, Popcom believes that correct information and right choices among Filipino couples and individuals will be vital in countering unplanned pregnancies.
It said these will be necessary to prevent unintended births in the coming months and a projected population boom in the country, especially during this period that the pandemic still plagues the nation and the global community.
Perez said with the current scenario of the pandemic, the limited access for couples and individuals to family planning services and commodities may result in 214,000 more births on top of the initially estimated 1.7 million deliveries by end of the year.
While 3 out of 10 pregnancies are unplanned, the NDHS of 2017 estimated that the trend will cause the Philippine population to swell by an additional 2 million-plus Filipinos in 2021.
“There are obstacles in health and medical service delivery brought about by Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]—including the provision of essential family planning information and supplies. This is the reality we are now facing as a nation,” Perez said.
“That is why considering and availing of contraception will be vital during these days,” he added. “It will help keep our population numbers in check, particularly at this time of the pandemic, where we anticipate limited resources at the household and macro levels.”