By Francesca Hangeior

Maternal health experts have said there is no scientific evidence to show that certain sex positions assist women to get pregnant faster.

While they acknowledged that there were claims that specific sex positions could make conception easier and faster, the gynaecologists confirmed that there was no scientific basis for such.
Checks revealed claims that sex positions such as missionary, doggy style and spoon, among others could increase conception rates.

Their argument was based on the premise that such styles brought the penis closer to the cervix, creating easy access for the sperm to flow directly into the fallopian tubes, leading to pregnancy.

However, the gynaecologists noted that all things being equal, once a healthy sperm reaches the vagina and could swim to the cervix, a woman would conceive regardless of the sex position.

The physicians further asserted that a sex position was only medically considered during sex selection.

Providing expert advice on the issue, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state, Ernest Orji, stated that although the myth exists, there was no scientific basis for it.

He said, “There is no sexual position that a woman takes that she won’t get pregnant. None is easier or faster than the other one. Sometimes, the man can ejaculate on the woman’s thigh and she will still get pregnant. Once sperm enters into the vagina, anyhow, the woman can get pregnant.

“We know that the womb can sometimes be introverted but sperm moves freely. Unless the cervix is blocked and prevents the sperm from entering, no position makes getting pregnant better or faster. If every other thing is normal with the sperm and the woman, once the sperm enters into the vagina, the woman can get pregnant.”

The researcher on Reproductive and Feto-maternal Health further clarified that on the other hand, no sexual position could reduce the chances of getting pregnant.

The don added, “A lot of time, some people would think that since there was no deep penetration during sex, there wouldn’t be pregnancy. But if there was ejaculation, the woman would get pregnant.”

Also, a Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr Stanley Egbogu, stated that sex position was only significant during sex or gender selection of a child.

He also affirmed that the position assumed during sex had no impact on the possibility of conception.

“Anytime there is difficulty in conceiving, we don’t look at the position. Position does not mean anything,” Egbogu said.

He further reaffirmed his position, mentioning that even those who relied on the withdrawal method as a means of contraception could still get pregnant because the pre-ejaculatory fluid, which would have been released before withdrawal, has been tested to contain some sperm.

“Position will play less or no part because if you have good quality sperm and eggs, whether it’s missionary, lateral or dog style, they can get pregnant. So, we don’t bother about positioning when we talk about people trying to conceive. It is when we want to talk about sex formation that is when we talk about the positioning, that is the posterior side, meeting the woman on the day of her release of egg and alkalinisation,” the gynaecologist said.

He further clarified that no sex position could reduce the likelihood of pregnancy or serve as an effective method of avoiding it.

“In a fertile person, even the pre-ejaculation fluid can make the person pregnant, much less the semen. If you don’t want to get pregnant, there are laid down rules, we have our guidelines, which is family planning. We have emergency contraception, the normal family planning method of contraception that we use- we have condoms, cervical caps, oral contraceptive pills that a woman can swallow once every day for 30 days, we have Progesterone-only contraceptive pills, injectables, implants and intrauterine contraceptive device.

“We methods of preventing pregnancy and sexual position are not methods. Withdrawal method is a method of family planning but it has a high failure rate. So, there is no sexual position that is used as a family planning method,” the gynaecologist said.

By Francesca Hangeior

The National Population Commission has begun the 2024 Nigeria Verbal And Social Autopsy study which seeks to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Lagos State and other states in the country.

The Federal Commissioner, NPC Lagos State, Mrs Saidat Oladunjoye, said the study was an important health initiative.

Oladunjoye said that it would have a lasting impact on the well-being of mothers and children across the state and the entire nation.

She described the VASA study, which was implemented nationwide, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, as a crucial survey, designed to provide insights into the causes of under-five and maternal deaths in the communities.

According to her, this round of VASA study builds on previous efforts from 2014 and 2019, which provided valuable information that helped shape health policies and interventions, aimed at reducing preventable deaths.

“The study is a follow-up to the 2023-2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey that was concluded in May this year.

“We will be going back to the NDHS households to ask for information that will help the government understand and plan to address the biomedical and social causes of death of children under age five and for women of reproductive age.

“This study will collect essential data on both maternal and child mortality, focusing on the social and health-related factors that contribute to these tragic losses.

“This information will empower decision-makers to address the underlying issues that lead to these deaths, and will ultimately inform policies aimed at improving maternal and child health in the state and beyond.

“Fieldwork for this study will be conducted in selected communities throughout the state from Nov. 21 to Dec. 15.

“Our trained data collectors will visit households to conduct interviews with family members, gathering information that will help us understand the circumstances surrounding maternal and child deaths,” she said.

Oladunjoye said the sensitive but essential process of the interview required the cooperation and support of every individual and community.

She urged the public to cooperate with the interviewers, as they would listen, gather, and document experiences with the utmost respect and confidentiality.

“In sharing your experiences and welcoming our data collection teams, you are contributing directly to a project aimed at preventing unnecessary losses in our communities and securing a healthier future for our families.

“Together, let us make the 2024 Nigeria VASA Study a success in Lagos State. By supporting and participating in this study, we are all contributing to a brighter and healthier future for our communities and our country,” Oladunjoye said.

Also speaking, the VASA Coordinator, Mrs Samiat Lawal, said the data collection teams had undergone three weeks of training at Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

Lawal said the study would be carried out in 14 Local Government Areas in Lagos State, which were found to have cases of maternal and child mortality, during the NDHS conducted in May.

She said the LGAs included Alimosho, Ifako Ijaye; Agege; Oshodi-Isolo; Mushin; Shomolu; Ikorodu; Amuwo Odofin; Ajeromi Ifelodun; Eti-osa; Ibeju, Epe; Ojo and Badagry.

By Francesca Hangeior

Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday, begged African youths to stay away from drugs, describing substance abuse as very destructive.

Obasanjo said drug abuse could cut short the life of anyone indulging in the unwholesome practice.

He lamented the growing challenge of drugs and substance abuse in sub-Sharan Africa, urging the youths having challenges with drug abuse to speak out and seek help to be delivered from the consequences which include untimely death.

“Against the notion that African was only being used as a transit for drugs coming from Latin America, consumption of drugs too in Africa is an issue and it has grown the more in the last 10 years, even getting worse,” he stated.

The former President spoke on Saturday at the 2nd edition of Fly Above The High sensitisation programme on drugs abuse which was organised by the Recovery Advocacy Network, at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

Obasanjo said, “While serving as the Chairman of West African Drug Commission under the auspices of Kofi Anan Foundation. We were nine on the commission.

“We went around West Africa on the belief that we were free from drugs which come mainly from Latin America and go to North America and Europe
“But to our dismay, displeasure, and pain, at the end of the exercise, we found out that West Africa has equally been a centre for drug consumption in a very bad way. That was more than 10 years ago, so the situation has since gone worse. And whatever applies to West Africa applies to all other parts of Africa.”

Obasanjo lamented the havoc drug abuse was wrecking in the life of the youth, pleading with them never to succumb to the temptation of going near it for any reason.

The former president said he always talked about drugs with all soberness, recounting that there was a time when one of his cousins, who got involved in drugs died a drug-related death, despite doing everything possible to rehabilitate him and make him live a normal life.

“Addiction is a form of disease, some diseases cannot be cured but can be managed. I have been living with diabetes for over 40 years and I am still here by the grace of God.

The former President equally called on the people to support those who had gone into drugs and were willing to come out of it, adding that saying a word of prayer for them too could prove to be the turning point.

Speaking at the event, the President of Recovery Advocacy Network, Dr Kunle Adesina, said the need for the sensitisation was to step up the campaign against drug and substance abuse.

A mental health expert, Dr Sam Abah, who spoke on “Rewired for Dependency: How Drug Use Affect The Brain,” urged the youth to stay away from drugs, noting that drug addiction destroyed the brains.