The Adolescent Health Focal Person at the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate, Doris Ocansey, has cautioned adolescents and young people against the frequent use of emergency contraceptive pills, warning that abuse could have adverse health implications.
She explained that emergency contraceptive pills contained significantly higher levels of hormones compared to standard daily contraceptives.
Ms Ocansey noted that while regular contraceptive pills were designed to be taken over a 28-day cycle, emergency pills were intended strictly for use within 24 to 48 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.
She cautioned that repeated intake of such high hormonal doses, which the body did not require on a regular basis, could result in menstrual irregularities and possible fertility challenges.
Ms Ocansey emphasised the need for health personnel to continue promoting abstinence among adolescents and young people, even though many were sexually active.
She said that while condoms and other contraceptive methods were available, condoms remained the only option that provided dual protection against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. She added, however, that condoms did not offer 100 percent protection.
According to her, abstinence remained the only guaranteed way of preventing both unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
Touching on defilement and rape, Ms Ocansey said healthcare providers were often the first point of contact for victims of sexual abuse.
She explained that while medical personnel provided immediate care, including testing and treatment for infections, responsibility for social interventions such as reporting cases to the appropriate authorities fell within the mandate of the District Social Welfare Office.
On abortion, Ms Ocansey highlighted the health risks associated with the practice, particularly among young girls.
Responding to questions about allegations of healthcare workers performing abortions privately in their homes, she clarified that such acts were illegal and constituted a criminal offence.
She urged health professionals to report colleagues found to be engaging in such unlawful practices.
Ms Ocansey advised young people against unsafe termination of pregnancies and encouraged them to seek care from recognised health institutions for their medical needs, rather than resorting to harmful concoctions and presenting at hospitals only when complications arose.
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