Men encouraged to use contraception

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 03/06/2008 11:58 AM  |  City

Men need to take greater responsibility for birth control by using male contraception instead of relying on female methods, according to the National Family Planning Board (BKKBN).

BKKBN executive secretary Sudiboy Alimueso said men's reluctance to use condoms contributed to the country's high birth rate.

"Only about 2 percent of the country's 27 million contraception users (married couples) are using male contraception. This shows men's lack of awareness in using contraception," Sudibyo said at his East Jakarta office Wednesday.

"Most men, especially those in lower income groups, lack information about the need for them to use contraception. They think birth control is their wives' responsibility. Besides, many men find condoms uncomfortable," he said.

He said the agency had distributed condoms to community health centers across the country, where they are available for free.

Sudibyo also suggested women encourage their husbands to use contraception.

"We hope the number of men using contraception will increase to 3.6 percent by the end of this year and 5 percent by December 2009," he said.

Controlling the birth rate through the family planning program, known as Keluarga Berencana (KB), is believed to be the most effective way of managing the country's population growth.

Although several contraception methods are available for women, such as pills, implants, injections, intrauterine devices (IUDs) and tubal ligation, there are only two for men: condoms and vasectomy.

Some women acknowledge their husbands are reluctant to use condoms.

Mumu, a resident of Rawamangun, East Jakarta, said her husband objected because he said it was not his responsibility.

Mumu used a spiral (IUD) for birth control, but found the method unsatisfactory.

"About 15 years ago, a doctor implanted a spiral in me. But I fell pregnant not long after that and gave birth to twins," the mother of seven said.

Another woman, Nurhayati, said she and her husband chose not to use condoms because they did not have confidence in the method.

"We heard stories from our friends that condoms often break. My husband and I checked some condoms and we found some were poor quality. So I decided to use a spiral. It hurts a bit but I have no other choice," she said.

Mumu and Nurhayati were among dozens of women from the Mother and Baby Care Organization (LPIB) who staged a demonstration at the BKKBN office Wednesday to complain about the poor quality of female contraception methods.

"We want to participate in family planning programs and have small families. But many families can't follow the programs because of the uncomfortable contraception methods. We demand BKKBN recheck all products and give more information about the benefits and the weaknesses of each method," LPIB vice chairwoman Nining Hardiningsih said.

Sudibyo said BKKBN cooperated with the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency in always checking contraceptives.

"If we find any expired products in the market, we withdraw them and destroy them," he said.(trw)

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