Transforming Reproductive Health in Benin: Breaking Contraceptive Taboos

Doctors Without Borders has initiated health programs in Couffo, Benin, to improve healthcare access for women, focusing on reproductive health and family planning. Challenges such as limited access to contraception and high maternal mortality have been addressed through community engagement and awareness-raising activities led by trained women leaders. Significant shifts in mindset concerning contraception signal progress.

In the southern department of Couffo, Benin, prior to the intervention of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), a very limited number of pregnant women and women of reproductive age frequented health centers. Consequently, essential medical check-ups during pregnancy were rarely conducted, resulting in an alarming rate of home births. Furthermore, although demand for contraception was considerable, approximately fifty percent of women did not have access to contraceptive methods, contributing to high maternal and infant mortality rates that could have been preventable with proper medical oversight.

MSF, alongside Ministry of Health partners, has taken active steps since 2022 to enhance healthcare access and foster sustainable changes in Couffo. Health promotion initiatives are primarily spearheaded by women trained by MSF, who are instrumental in bridging the gap between community members and health centers. This approach has notably improved the regular monitoring of women’s health during their pregnancies.

Léonie, a mother of five, exemplifies the impact of these health initiatives. Suffering from significant discomfort during her last pregnancy due to fluid retention, she sought medical attention after learning about the importance of prenatal care. Receiving appropriate medical assistance allowed her to ensure a safe delivery of her baby, Précieux Magloire, who is now thriving and receiving care at the center.

Hippolite, a supervisor of health promotion activities within the KTL health zone, trains women leaders who serve as community health ambassadors. Their involvement is critical to disseminating vital information and encouraging individuals to seek necessary medical care. Hippolite noted, “If women don’t know why they need to go to the health center, they won’t go. Medical staff can save lives, but we are also fighting ignorance, which can lead to some people dying.”

In their efforts to instill sustainable change, MSF emphasizes the need for comprehensive information about family planning methods, empowering couples to make informed decisions about family size. Hippolite remarked, “The question of contraception has been a taboo subject in Beninese society for a long time… I’ve noticed that people’s minds are slowly changing.”

Lucienne, another community leader trained by MSF, highlighted changes in perception among both men and women regarding contraception. With the introduction of a tricycle referral system managed predominantly by men, access to nearby health centers has improved. She recounted her own initial misconceptions, stating, “Before I became involved, I also thought that contraception made people sick and sterile.”

Felix, a father of six, illustrates the educational outreach’s success. Previously relying solely on the withdrawal method, he has learned the significance of spacing births for family wellbeing, stating, “I, in turn, will pass the message on to my children so that this suffering never happens again.”

Since 2022, MSF has been providing essential support in the Couffo department, enhancing six health centers through staff recruitment and training, infrastructure rehabilitation, and ensuring medical supplies. They also contribute to the local hospital, managing severe cases and maintaining a blood bank. Their comprehensive support includes pre- and postnatal consultations, safe deliveries, family planning counseling, and assistance for victims of sexual violence, showcasing a commitment to improving maternal and child health in the region.

The intervention by Doctors Without Borders in Benin’s Couffo region has significantly transformed community attitudes towards reproductive health and contraceptive use. Through training women leaders and facilitating access to health centers, MSF has made essential medical services available, which is paramount for reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. The gradual shift in societal taboos around contraception indicates a positive trajectory towards improved health outcomes and empowerment of women in the community.

Original Source: www.doctorswithoutborders.org