In addressing the issue of contraceptive drugs among Nigerian young girls, Dr. Stella Babatope, a Nigerian scientist, said that despite having health significance on consumers, abusing it leads to health consequences.
She made this known in a press release disclosed on Thursday while emphasizing on the alarming rate of pharmaceutical drugs abuse young Nigerians.
Due to the lack of knowledge on the effect while misused, Dr. Babatope urges for educational reform to tackle this rising issue.
Explaining the function and benefit of contraceptive drugs when consumed, she said, “Improper use can have severe health consequences.”
“These include hormonal dysregulation, weight gain, menstrual cycle disruptions, and the development of cardiometabolic syndrome, a condition linked to diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease.”
The Punch Healthwise reported that her research, including a 2019 study on contraceptive misuse, revealed that many young women lack proper knowledge about the risks associated with these medications, leading to potentially severe health complications.
“Side effects such as weight gain are often misunderstood or even seen as justifiable reasons for misuse. This lack of education, combined with easy access to these drugs, has created a dangerous situation.”
Call for Education Reform
To address the issue, Babatope is advocating for the integration of comprehensive drug education into Nigeria’s school curriculum.
She believes that equipping young people with accurate information about medication use and its risks is crucial for preventing drug abuse and safeguarding public health.
“Without proper education and regulation, the unregulated use of COCs can lead to severe health complications such as diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance, and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. We must raise awareness and ensure that contraceptives are used safely and responsibly.”
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Groundbreaking Research on Health Solutions
Beyond highlighting the dangers of contraceptive misuse, Babatope’s research, titled “Ameliorating Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on Combined Oral Contraceptive-induced Cardiometabolic Syndrome in Female Guinea Pigs,” explored possible remedies to mitigate the adverse effects of COCs on women’s health.
As a scientist with expertise in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, Babatope currently serves as a Research Assistant at the University of Georgia, USA. Her work spans several critical areas, including cardiometabolic research, diabetic wound healing, and menopause.
With Nigeria facing an increasing challenge of drug misuse, Babatope’s call for education reform is gaining attention.
