Anifa Tsani, 20, lives in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Damagaza, Abuja. Anifa has lived in the camp since she was little; she also got married there and is now the mother of one child.
Following the introduction of self-administered injectable contraception in Nigeria, Anifa and other women in the country now have access to a self-care intervention that gives them more choices around sexual and reproductive health as well as privacy, which Anifa is delighted about. about.
“Every time I take my child to the health center to get vaccinated, the health workers encourage us to space our children out through family planning. I decided to have the injection because I want a good life for my child and I want to keep my sex life private. “
Because women administer the injection themselves, they can use it in any setting, whether they live in an internally displaced person camp, an urban area, a remote community, or elsewhere. The injection provides three months of contraceptive coverage, which is also a game-changer for many women who want or need long-lasting protection. Self-care interventions like this give women greater autonomy.
Introducing self-care interventions can also reduce pressure on health workers, particularly in settings such as IDP camps or IDP camps. in case of emergency where health services are in even greater demand.
Enabling self-care in the community
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines self-care as the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health and cope with illness and disability with or without the support from a health worker. Self-care interventions are quality, evidence-based tools that support self-care.
In Nigeria, the use of contraception is low, with UNICEF 2021 survey indicating that only four out of ten women use contraception.
To help address this problem, WHO worked closely with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health using a people-centered, gender equality and human rights approach to provide access broader sexual and reproductive health, such as self-administration of injectable contraception. This method is now available directly within communities through pharmacies, drugstores and health facilities.
Speaking on this approach, Dr Olumuyiwa Ojo, technical lead at the WHO Nigeria country office, said it is crucial for Nigeria to achieve universal health coverage, adding that WHO has supported changes crucial policies that help create a safe and conducive environment for the successful adoption of self-insurance. care.
“Following the publication of the WHO guidelines on Self-care interventions for health and well-being, the government of Nigeria has adapted and started implementing the guidelines,” he explained. “WHO support also includes coordinating the implementation of a costed national plan for self-care interventions, policy mapping and building an evidence base through research.”
Train health workers to take charge of self-care
Self-care interventions do not replace health care systems, they are an integral part of them. It is important to strengthen the understanding and capacity of health workers to take charge of self-care and WHO, with funding from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Health Investment Fund Foundation. (CIFF), has achieved this goal with health workers in more than 18 states. in Nigeria.
Salomé Vincent Aya, a health worker who participated in a capacity-building training in Nasarawa State, said the introduction of self-care interventions into her community’s health system boosted the will of women to use family planning services.
“Many women are now opting for self-care interventions such as injectable contraception. It allows those who live far from the health establishment or who wish confidentiality to benefit from contraceptive coverage if necessary. It also reduces the cost of transportation, especially for those who live far from health facilities,” she said.
“At first, the initiative raised concerns among health workers, but with proper information, training and education, they appreciated that it enabled them to provide better quality care. »
The power of partnerships to expand self-care services
To scale up implementation, the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO and over 70 partners – including national and state government officials, donors, development partners and private sector actors – is recently met to review progress and develop a plan for joint implementation of the self-assessment. -care in Nigeria.
Director of the Department of Family Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas-Kolo, said: “The introduction of self-care interventions is an important development for Nigeria. Self-care, including for family planning, will help reduce pressure on health facilities to provide quality care, as individuals and communities will be supported to take charge of their own health.
Article credit: WHO Nigeria
