MYTHS AND MSCONCEPTIONS

ABOUT FAMILY PLANNING

Imarisha Maisha
Family Planning Rumours and Misconceptions

 What are some of the Family

Planning rumours and
misconceptions in Kenya?
 Explain why you think they
are rumours and
misconceptions and suggest
how to counteract them!

2
 EXAMPLES OF RUMOURS AND OF
MISCONCEPTIONS
 Condoms have holes
 Condoms are laced with the HIV virus
 Contraceptives encourage immorality
 Contraceptives make women barren
 Family Planning causes mental retardation in
children
 Contraceptives cause cancer
 Family Planning is a way of reducing the African
Population
Adapted from MOH-CBD Curriculum - 2000
3
 RUMOURS AND MISCONCEPTIONS
CONTD…
 IUCD can disappear into the rest of the body
 Contraceptives make a woman cold and dry
 Contraceptives reduces libido
 Vasectomy is castration
 Contraceptives make breast milk disappear

Adapted from MOH-CBD Curriculum - 2000

4
 REASONS FOR RUMOURS AND
MISCONCEPTIONS
 Lack of correct information
 Inadequate information
 Deliberate propaganda
 Illiteracy
 Ignorance
 Negative beliefs
 Religion
Adapted from MOH-CBD Curriculum - 2000

5
 CORRECTING RUMOURS AND
MISCONCEPTIONS
 Always listen politely and don’t laugh!
 Define rumours and misconceptions
 Provide facts and education
 Be persistent – repeatedly remind of the facts
 Communicate effectively
 Be a good example/ Role model
 Reinforce having many children as a “positive” if one can
cater for them
 Choice of appropriate methods for each person
 Proper counselling and medical history

Adapted from MOH-CBD Curriculum - 2000