By Oluyemi Israel
A community leader in Borno State, Mr. Bulaga Adam, said that child spacing had helped many families reduce financial and social stress, especially in Gwange III and Yarwa communities.
He made this statement on Thursday during a review meeting attended by stakeholders and social mobilisers in Maiduguri.
The meeting was supported by The Challenge Initiative (TCI), a non-governmental organisation.
Adam explained that low-income families no longer struggled with rent and bills, thanks to wider gaps between the births of their children.
It was noted that household spending had dropped, savings had increased, and major expenses, such as weddings and naming ceremonies, were now easier to manage.
Other community members, including mobilisers like Yagana Abba, Bulama Hassan Kade, and Hajiya Aisha Goni, said that residents were happy with the improvements.
They noted that awareness campaigns during weddings and home visits had helped educate families on child spacing.
According to the TCI Manager in Borno, Dr. Yusuf Amadu, the community’s growing knowledge about child spacing was impressive, even among people with no medical background.
Mr. Abdulrahman Yahaya, the State Health Educator Officer, confirmed that many families were now joining the programme.
He also pointed out that some health centres faced shortages of supplies due to increased demand.
Mobilisers mentioned that most husbands were now supportive, accompanying their wives to hospitals for guidance on safe methods.
They said that women were more welcoming during home visits than before and had accepted child spacing as beneficial.
Kade stated that the programme had received 90% support from community members, showing strong approval. Goni added that only a few women had concerns about pills, saying this proved that the methods could be safe.