BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
MANY women in the country are often visiting the Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association to seek advises on family planning and contraceptive methods.
Solomon Island Parenthood Association’s (SIPPA) Community-Based Educator and Distributor, Silas Manebona said women are frequently visiting our clinical office in Honiara to seek wide range of procedures, and methods of family planning/contraceptive information and services we have offered.
“The proportion of women of reproductive age who have their need for family planning satisfied by modern contraceptive methods has increased gradually over the years,” he told SOLOMON WOMEN.
Manebona noted that some of the family methods offered by SIPPA include medications (tablets) for both breast-feeding and non-breast-feeding women can utilize.
“The primary focus of our work is on sexual and reproductive health. And giving married women and men access to family planning tools is one of our key priorities.
“Methods of contraception include oral contraceptive pills, implants, injectables, patches, condoms, male and female sterilization, and fertility awareness based methods. These methods have different mechanisms of action and effectiveness in preventing unintended pregnancy,” he told SOLOMON WOMEN.
He added that Depo-Provera (contraceptive injection) is one injection procedure that can be utilized for three months.
“Depo does not protect against STIs (Sexual Transmitted Infections), but it does prevent pregnancy by preventing the woman from releasing an egg.
“Jadelle Implant (Levonorgestrel implant), which is a different contraceptive approach, has a five-year lifespan. The other is an Intrauterine Device (IUD), which has a 10-year lifespan.
“Fertility will return after the removal of Jadelle’s implants.
“Jadelle is put inside the upper arm, just below the skin.
“Women who use the procedure frequently report irregular or late menstruation, lethargy, and dizziness. If you notice these results, it is effective. The cycle will resume when the bodily system is read by the method,” he explained.
Likewise, the Community-Based Educator and Distributor said that SIPPA provides family planning options for men as well.
“Men can also get family planning procedures such as vasectomy, and using condom. There are two varieties: permanent and temporary. You hardly ever have children if you undergo a permanent vasectomy,’’ he said.
Vasectomy is minor surgery to block sperm from reaching the semen that is ejaculated from the penis. Semen still exists, but it has no sperm in it. After a vasectomy the testes still make sperm, but they are soaked up by the body.
SIPPA is the leading NGO in providing Sexual & Reproductive Health & Family Planning information and services in Solomon Islands. SIPPA is a full member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).
They are dedicated to supporting access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, education and services. Adopting an integrated approach that encompasses service delivery, advocating to political and religious leaders and targeted educational campaigns, and they have managed to achieve tangible results in the country.
