Family Planning & HIV Prevention: What Every Young Person Should Know

 Family Planning, HIV Prevention & Youth Health  

Family planning is not only about preventing pregnancy — it is about protecting health, choices, and the future.  

 🔹 What is Family Planning?  

According to WHO guidelines, family planning allows women and men to decide:  

•  If and when to have children.  
•  How many children to have.  
•  What method of contraception is safest and most effective for them.  

Methods include:  

•  Hormonal (pills, injectables, implants, IUD).  
•  Non-hormonal (copper IUD).  
•  Local/barrier methods.  

 🔹 What about HIV and STIs?  

-Most contraceptive methods only prevent pregnancy.  

- They do not prevent HIV or sexually transmitted infections.  

-Condoms (male & female) are the only method that provide dual protection:  

  ✔ Prevent pregnancy  

  ✔ Reduce the risk of HIV & STIs  

Guideline Note: 

WHO and CDC recommend condoms as essential in all family planning counseling where HIV/STI risk is present.  

 🔹 What if exposure already happened?  

In case of unprotected sex or condom failure with risk of HIV:  

•  Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) should be started as soon as possible — within 72 hours.  
•  PEP = a 28-day course of antiretroviral drugs.  
•  The earlier you start, the more effective it is.  
•  Follow-up HIV testing is required (baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months).  

 💡 Key Message  

- Family planning saves lives and supports healthy families.  

- **Condoms are the only family planning method that also protects against HIV/STIs.**  

- If exposure occurs, **PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)** is a lifesaving emergency option — but it must be started quickly.  

Written by Dr Rabab Mustafa, Consultant OB/GYN and Medical Director at Forest Park Hospital, Lusaka.  

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