FAMILY PLANNING AS A MEANS TO COPE WITH ECONOMIC PRESSURE–A CASE OF UGANDA

Jacob Waiswa
Situation Health Analyst
Dishma-Inc.
P.O. Box 8885,
Kampala-Uganda
Tel. +256392614655/+256752542504
dishma.imhs@gmail.com
www.situationhealthanalysis.blogspot.com

Increasing population amidst scarcity of resources and associated problems prompted several governments to erect measures geared towards curbing it. Family land resource is highly fragmented –as aging head of households distribute pieces of it to a family of between 30 to 50 dependents –most of whom already own families. The cycle continues –until no more time is left.

Worse, still, rural-urban migration exacerbates the situation when the preference for urban settlement compels the mainly youthful population to sell family land and settle in the already congested urban centers. That, not only renders the much reliable agricultural economy abused, but makes access to better welfare a huge challenge in urban areas.

Family planning is very important not only for the well-being of the bearing mother, but, also, in as far as taming the hardships of the economy is concerned.

With 65% young people knowledgeable about family planning among the educated enough to understand the challenging economic situation of the country and family planning strategy to cope with it, there is still knowledge gap to fill.

Despite an increased demand for reproductive health supplies, donor support is fading and stagnating, and many national governments have not prioritized ensuring access. Besides the strong myths about family planning have not been effectively addressed yet they strongly sabotage any initiative to implement it in communities from the word go.

In conclusion, relevancy of family planning in Ugandan was at 65% in 2010, which, today, is not good enough to help an already resources-limited country like Uganda. A prospering Ugandan must be measured better; by his or her standard of living level –since the higher the enlightenment and standard of living, the more likelihood that Ugandans will consider family planning.

Methods of family planning are only understood as relevant to development, afforded, and accessed by the middle class Ugandans. And the mere fact that people are married, they will not in any way consider family planning as at all relevant to them, but it as a source of suspicion and mistrust.

There is thus need to increase awareness on family planning the country. A lot of emphasis ought to be put on the agriculture sector which is without doubt the spine of the economy and blood vessel of Ugandans.