A recently published 2019 Demographic Health Survey Report revealed that in Sierra Leone 21% of young women between 15-49 years are already mothers or pregnant with their first child.
The report further indicated that rural young women (15-49 years) are likely to have begun childbearing than urban young women (29% versus 14%).
Additionally, 13% of women (25-49 years) begin sexual activity before age 15 while 38% begin sexual activity before age 18.
Comparatively, less than 1% of men begin sexual activity before age 15 while 43% begin before 18.
The report also indicated that one in five women between 15-49 years use any method of family planning, while 20% use a modern method and less than 1% use a traditional method; adding that the most popular methods are injectables (9%), implants (7%), and pills (4%).
Among sexually active unmarried women (15-49 years), 53% use a modern method and less than 1% use traditional methods. The most popular methods among sexually active unmarried women are injectables (22%), implants (20%), and the pills (9%). There is an increase among married women who are using any method (17%), any modern method (16%) since 2013.
The report also noted that the use of modern method family planning has increased from 7% in 2008 to 21% in 2018. In addition, traditional method use among married women had decreased.
SS/2/2/2021
By sulaiman.sesay@awokonewspaper.sl