KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — The concept of family planning is still relevant although the total fertility rate (TFR) of women in the country dropped to 1.7 for the year 2020, which is below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman.
Dr Wan Hilya Munira Mustapha, who is a medical officer of the Division of Human Reproduction of the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), said a replacement level of 2.1 is the ideal number of children for a woman to replace herself and her partner upon death.
“We want the society to have more children and stabilise the TFR in a healthy manner, if the period between the children is short, it’s unhealthy. If the mother has a chronic disease during pregnancy, it will be very high risk.
“That is why it is necessary to use birth control pills to stabilise health issues until it is suitable to get pregnant with less risky conditions,” she said when participating as a guest on the Take Control 2022 forum here today.
A replacement level of 2.1 means the average number of children a woman would need to have to reproduce by bearing a daughter who survives to childrearing age.
According to her, the concept of family planning will help ensure the maternal mortality rate is low, thus ensuring women in this country are prepared for a healthy and safe pregnancy.
As such, Dr Wan Hilya said the government, through the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), was committed to educating the new generation regarding the matter by launching the National Reproductive Health Education and Social (Pekerti) Policy and Action Plan 2022-2025 earlier this month.
Meanwhile, O&G consultant, founder and director of Akademi Dr Har, Prof Datuk Dr Harlina Halizah Siraj @ Ramli said most women do not want to use birth control pills for fear of gaining weight.
“It is a myth that everyone does not want to take the pill for fear of gaining weight… but based on research, their body weight increases by just 1.5 kilogrammes (kg) to 2 kg,” she said.
She said the birth control pill not only prevents unwanted pregnancy but could also treat acne and lead to smooth facial skin, in addition to controlling excessive menstruation and stabilising hormones in the body that cause irregular periods.
CARiNG Pharmacy’s Fatin Zafira Mohd Yassim concurred, saying most women would go to the pharmacy asking for birth control pills which do not cause weight gain.
“Each time they come to the pharmacy, they ask if we have birth control pill that does not cause weight gain. Weight gain is mainly due to diet but everyone wants to blame it on the pill,” said the pharmacist.
In addition, according to her, society must eradicate the stigma that sex education is inappropriate for teenagers because it will educate them about the consequences of their actions and not teach them about reproduction in principle.
“If we do not educate, how are we going to take the first step in prevention, how will children these days know what can lead to pregnancy? So, we have to start from the first step (education). Don’t be afraid to speak up on the importance of sex education.
“Many students come to the pharmacy looking for emergency contraception pills. As much as we don’t like it, it is very common and wrong in terms of religion. But as a pharmacist, how can we just let them be? The consequences will lead to them going for an abortion and that will affect their health. So, sex education is very important,” she said.
— Bernama
