KABUL (SW): Distribution of millions of condoms in the country, being cheap and successful has encouraged many women to use this method to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates. According to statistics by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), out of 100,000 mothers, 1200 die due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
Most often, the time between births of children are short for most mothers, and due to cultural and economic problems, fewer preventive methods have been used, therefore, one in every 25 infants die at birth.
Enayat, one of the farmers in Balkh, who has 11 children, told Salam Watandar that due to lack of facilities, four of his infants have died. He added, in the past, the level of awareness was low, there were no suitable preventive methods, including the use of condoms, that’s why they have not been able to control the unwanted pregnancy.
According to the MoPH, 70% child mortality occurs due to premature birth and complications during delivery of babies.
A survey conducted by the MoPH in 34 provinces has shown that in addition to premature births, shortages of clinics, the absence of trained midwives and professional nurses in remote areas of the country, problems of transportations for mothers in labor, and the misconceptions of families are the causes of maternal mortality and infant’s deaths at birth also known as intrapartum death.
The MoPH has been trying to reduce the gap between births by increasing the provision of health services and counselling to families. Along with providing awareness to families and in addition to other contraceptive methods, the MoPH distributed millions of condoms throughout the country to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Zulaikha, a family planning advisor at the Family Well-being Center in Balkh, said the center has been distributing 6000 condoms monthly to people through health centers and this method has the highest demand among women.
Uranus Barna, head of the maternity ward of the Balkh Institute of Health Sciences told Salam Watandar that one of the ways to prevent the maternal mortality and child mortality at birth is to train more midwives and nurses. She informed that one of the Institute’s goals is to train more midwives and professional nurses and to provide appropriate health services and family planning.
The MoPH has announced that 11,000 midwives are needed throughout the country to provide better health services, however, currently, only 6,000 midwives are working in the health facilities across the country.
The MoPH officials anticipated that by distributing condoms and providing better health services and awareness to the public, the gap between births could be increased and the maternal and infant mortality rates could be diminished in the country.
ENDS
