World Contraception Day: Unplanned pregnancies higher among married women – Bauchi official

Participants at a road walk in Bauchi. Photo Credit: Umar Sani.

The Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, has said unplanned pregnancies are more common among married women than unmarried women in the state.

Mohammed stated this on Saturday during a media briefing organised to commemorate the 2026 World Contraception Day in Bauchi.

Mohammed, who was represented by the Director of Primary Health, Dr Safiyan Jibrin, said the observance was an opportunity to sensitise the public to the importance of contraception and family planning.

He said, “It is important to know the realities and indices of what we are celebrating today. Contraception is very important because it enables couples to plan their pregnancies.

“From what we see in hospitals, unplanned pregnancies occur more in marital homes than outside marital homes. Some people come to the hospital seeking to terminate such pregnancies.”

The chairman said pregnancy was a gift from God, urging couples to discuss and plan the timing and spacing of their children.

He, however, stressed that abortion was not legally permitted in Nigeria except under circumstances where it was medically indicated, particularly when the life of the mother was at risk.

He warned that abortions carried out in unsafe environments could result in serious complications, including infections and other health problems.

Mohammed urged residents to access family planning and contraceptive services at primary healthcare centres and secondary health facilities across the state.

He said, “These services are available at facilities not far from where people live, including primary healthcare centres and secondary facilities, and most of these services are free.

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“Some people are not aware that these services are available, so we need to continue sensitising the public.”

Also speaking, a representative of the Society for Family Health, Pharmacist Nufin-Allah Alhamdul, said the organisation was partnering with the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board and other stakeholders to promote contraception and family planning.

He said the partners included the United Nations Population Fund, MSI Nigeria and the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, among others.

Alhamdul described World Contraception Day as an important occasion for increasing public awareness about the benefits of contraception.

He said, “Contraception is a process whereby families intentionally decide to space the birth of their children and determine the interval between successive births.

“It comes with a number of benefits to individuals, families and the wider community. Families are able to plan and manage their resources, while children can benefit from better nutrition and education.

“For mothers, child spacing allows them to recover between pregnancies and regain their strength before taking on another pregnancy.”

He added that effective family planning could contribute to improved household wellbeing and help families manage their resources more sustainably.