Contraception, commonly known as family planning, is the deliberate use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse.
Ensuring access to voluntary family planning helps manage rapid population growth by preventing unintended pregnancies while reducing maternal and child mortality, and improving the health and economic well-being of families and communities.
Highly effective contraceptive use such as hormonal injectables and implants are widely used by women, however people tend to dismiss condom use especially if one doesn't know the status of their partner.
Condom is a contraceptive method that many young people avoid using.
It's a method that when used correctly can prevent HIV, STI (given the transmission of HIV still largely occurs by sexual transmission in over 80 per cent of the cases) and unintended pregnancy.
Myths and misconceptions, peer pressure and misinformation from peers that sex is not satisfying with a condom cause young people not to use condoms when engaging in sexual intercourse.
This leads to high cases of HIV.
There is a lack of qualified health practitioners that can provide adequate and accurate information to peers, especially in remote areas.
Men are not involved in family planning which makes it less likely for them to engage.
Sometimes it is termed a women affair. Commodity stock out also plays a role in unprotected sex and new HIV infections.
All young people can avoid HIV effects and have a satisfying sexual life if they have universal access to effective condoms.
A visit to a health care facility is important to know the status of HIV between partners.
Health care practitioners should not have a judgemental attitude when one asks for condoms.
Many young adolescents tend to shy away making it hard for them to access condoms.
There is no shame whatsoever in buying condoms because it shows full protection of oneself and the partner.
There should be important age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education in schools and in public campaigns for young people to understand the benefits of using contraceptives such as condoms.
Youth advocate at NAYA Kenya
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
