Pakistanis use 130m condoms every year

Lahore, Sept 17 : Despite the social dogma associated with sex, people in Pakistan use 130 millions condoms annually, says a new survey.

Among the many available methods to curb unwanted pregnancies, condoms still remain the preferred choice of contraception in Pakistan, reveals a study by Green Social Marketing, an organization working towards improving female healthcare in the country.

"Immediate pregnancies and low time periods between childbirth can cause high blood pressure and excessive bleeding during the next pregnancy, which claims around 30,000 lives each year in Pakistan," the Daily Times quoted Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Secretary General Dr Samrina Hashmi, as saying.

She said that people usually believe that contraceptives are meant to permanently block pregnancies, which is completely baseless. In fact they are rather used to provide a certain pause between pregnancies.

"A mother shares a lot of energy, calcium and other nutrients with the newborn, so a period of three years is essential for the next child to be healthy," said Hashmi.

She further said that's where contraceptives come into use and then blamed the lack of healthcare facilities, trained birth attendants and labour rooms at rural health centers (RHC) and basic health units (BHUs).

"In Pakistan, a common citizen utilizes 70 percent of his monthly budget on the purchase of medicine and since pregnant women are mostly deprived of medicines, contraceptives provide women mental and physical rest," she added.

According to her, it is predominantly the general public that does not trust different contraceptives and instead prefer condoms. This is when 12 percent of women get pregnant despite the use of the condoms.

ANI