Sokoto Faces Contraceptive Shortage As More Women Adopt Family Planning

A growing number of women in Sokoto State are embracing family planning services, thanks to sustained community outreach and health education by frontline workers at the primary healthcare level.

This has led to shortage of Contraceptives, frontline health workers have said.

Hauwau Aminu, a community health extension worker at Gidan Dahala Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Sokoto, told THE WHISTLER that the number of women seeking contraceptive services at the facility has risen significantly in recent years.

She said that unlike before, they now attend to about 70 women monthly, noting that many of them come willingly and even bring their friends along after witnessing the benefits.

Hauwau, who also conducts door-to-door awareness campaigns in surrounding communities, said misconceptions about family planning are gradually fading due to ongoing counseling and health talks.

However, she noted that supply shortages remain a challenge.

“Sometimes, we run out of contraceptives, and women call frequently to check if we have restocked. That shows the growing demand and how serious they are,” she added.

She attributed the progress to support from organizations like The Challenge Initiative (TCI) which have trained health workers and supported community sensitization campaigns.

Hauwau who recently received training on Immediate Postpartum Contraceptive (ITU) services said that she is optimistic about expanding the range of options available to women once the facility is fully equipped.

Public health expert, Dr. Bala Gadanga, says the increased uptake of family planning is a welcome development that must be sustained.

“Family planning is not just about controlling the population. It is about allowing families to make informed choices, improving maternal health, and reducing poverty”

He noted that many young women across northern Nigeria still lack access to reproductive health education, making them vulnerable to unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions.

He said that when young people have access to the right information and services, they make better choices, adding that it is not just about preventing pregnancy but about saving lives and giving young women a chance at a better future.

One of the beneficiaries of this shift is 25-year-old Rahama Musa, who recently visited Gidan Dahala PHC with her fiancé ahead of their wedding.

“We chose a three-year contraceptive implant,” Rahama said. My fiance is still in school and runs a small business. We want to focus on building our future first before having children.”

Rahama said the decision was based on a shared understanding of the economic challenges ahead and a desire to raise children in a stable environment.

Health officials in Sokoto say while the state still lags behind in contraceptive prevalence, the rising awareness among young people and women of reproductive age is a step in the right direction.

Dr Bala said closing this gap will require continued investment in health worker training, supply of commodities, and grassroots education to counter lingering myths and fears surrounding family planning.

Sokoto Faces Contraceptive Shortage As More Women Adopt Family Planning is first published on The Whistler Newspaper