Emergency contraceptives is a threat to life – Expert

The Youth Action Movement (YAM), a youth wing of the Planned Parenthood Association of

Ghana (PPAG), a non-governmental organization that focus on reproductive health has advised the youth against taking emergency contraceptives more than twice in a year.

Speaking at a meeting of the Koforidua branch of YAM in Koforidua, the branch secretary, Ms Evelyn Sosu said, taking the emergency contraceptive more than twice in a year could lead to health hazards including excessive bleeding.

Ms Sosu said research has shown that about 60 per cent of young girls from ages 10 to 24 take about 18 times emergency contraceptives in a year.

She said some ladies are keeping large quantities of the emergency contraceptives and as a result engage in unprotected sex and take them after every sexual act.

Ms Sosu explained that such practice is dangerous and could affect the health of young ladies who engage in such acts.

Ms Sosu said according to medical officers, emergency contraceptives should be taken maximum twice a year.

She said YAM will utilize several strategies including focus group discussions, social media campaigns to reach out to their peers with this valuable information to address the abuse of the emergency contraceptives.

She called on the youth to join YAM to acquire the skills and knowledge on Sexual, Reproductive Health and Rights (SRH&R) to facilitate debates and discussions among various stakeholders as well as mentor and coach young people.

At the end of the meeting, Ms Sosu was elected as the new YAM chairperson for the branch, Mr Stephen Okyere Koranteng as secretary and Ms Jenifer Salia as treasurer.

Source: GNA