STAKEHOLDERS IN ANAMBRA CALL FOR IMPROVED FAMILY PLANNING EDUCATION TO MANAGE POPULATION GROWTH

REPORTER: NDU NWANNAH

Some stakeholders in the academic sector in Anambra State have called for improved family planning education to help in controlling the growing global population.

They also advocated intensive deployment of Behaviour Change Communication messages in communities to help families imbibe effective birth control measures.

The experts stated this in Awka, while speaking with Radio Nigeria on the occasion of the 2022 World Population Day celebration with the theme, “A World of Eight Billion, Towards A Resilient Future For All.”

The theme of this year’s World Population Day is aimed at harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all.

In 2011, the world population was projected at 7 billion and is expected to increase to 8 billion this year, 2022.

Over the years, it is believed that advancements in health have reduced maternal and child mortality and increased lifespans.

However, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in its 2022 report noted that half of all pregnancies were unintended.

The growth in world population comes with series of problems like overpopulation, environmental issues and poor development.

Also, issues, such as access to maternal health and family planning are challenges, associated with population growth.

A Geologist and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Professor Osita Chiaghanam, said population increase, exerts more pressure on the environment.

Professor Chiaghanam canvassed proper education of families on the need to plan their rate of child bearing.

Contributing, a Development Communication Scholar and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, Professor Chinyere Okunna, expressed concerns that the effects of population growth, were more noticeable in developing nations.

Professor Okunna said there was the need to utilize more behaviour change messages in dissuading people from bearing much children.

Professor Okunna insisted that such messages, if properly deployed would help in reducing poverty and enable more citizens have access to quality education and health care.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU