PPAG Marked World Contraception Day In Collaboration with Kajaji Health Centre; Students Urge to Prioritise Education.
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| MR. FIDAUS ALHASSAN, PPAG-SENE EAST BY: LANSER A. |
Addressing
the students, Madam Ama Priscilla Nsenyi, the School Health Education Programme
(SHEP) Coordinator for Sene East District, took participants through the
importance of health education and the need for young people to acquire
accurate knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and future. She
encouraged the students to take their education seriously, remain focused on
their academic goals and avoid decisions that could jeopardise their future
aspirations. Madam Nsenyi particularly urged the students to practise
abstinence from sexual activity at their current stage of life, explaining that
prioritising education and personal development would help them build a
stronger foundation for the future.
Emphasising
the consequences of rushing into decisions without considering their
implications, she cautioned the students that “if you rush, you will crush.” She
encouraged them to exercise patience, discipline and responsible judgement,
noting that choices made during adolescence could have lasting consequences for
their education, health and overall wellbeing. Her engagement featured the importance
of equipping students with age-appropriate health information, life skills and
the confidence to make responsible decisions, while encouraging them to seek
guidance from trusted adults and qualified health professionals.
A
midwife from Kajaji Health Centre, Madam Victoria Ayening, educated
participants on contraception, explaining its meaning, importance and the
various methods available to prevent unintended pregnancies. She explained that
contraception refers to methods and measures used to prevent pregnancy,
enabling individuals and couples to make informed decisions about whether and
when to have children.
As
part of the education session, Madam Ayening discussed different contraceptive
options, including barrier methods such as male and female condoms; hormonal
methods such as pills, injectables and implants; intrauterine devices (IUDs);
and fertility-awareness methods.
She
explained that contraceptive methods differ in their effectiveness, duration of
action, mode of use and possible side effects. She therefore encouraged
participants to seek professional counselling to understand the available
options and identify methods suitable for their individual needs. The midwife
highlighted the importance of contraception in preventing unintended
pregnancies, supporting family planning, helping individuals and couples plan
their futures and promoting reproductive health. She also emphasised the role
of condoms in reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections, including
HIV, in addition to preventing pregnancy.
To strengthen participants’
understanding, a practical demonstration of contraceptive methods was
conducted, providing students with an opportunity to observe how the methods
are used and ask questions for clarification.
The demonstration complemented the
health talk by translating theoretical information into practical knowledge,
while reinforcing the need for correct and consistent use of contraceptive
methods.
Participants were encouraged to
obtain contraceptive information and services from qualified health
professionals and to make voluntary, informed decisions without pressure,
stigma or misinformation.
Students from Kajaji Senior High
School and Kajaji Technical Institute, who participated in the celebration,
expressed appreciation for the knowledge gained through the health education
sessions and practical demonstration.
The students welcomed the
opportunity to interact with health professionals, learn about contraceptive
options and obtain answers to questions concerning their sexual and
reproductive health.
They expressed happiness with the
initiative and acknowledged the importance of such engagements in equipping
young people with the knowledge needed to make informed choices and protect
their health and future.
The participation of the two
institutions highlighted the importance of collaboration between health and
educational institutions in promoting adolescent health, responsible
decision-making and the wellbeing of young people.
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