About 54 percent of Zimbabwean adolescents and adults were using contraceptives now compared to 48 percent in 1994, according to the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council. A Xinhua news agency report on Sunday quoted council executive director Godfrey Tinarwo as saying that the increase in the use of contraceptives had helped to reduce HIV/AIDS infection, sexually transmitted diseases (STDS) and unwanted pregnancies.
“We are encouraged by this rate and Zimbabweans are taking contraceptives as part of their life style,” Tinarwo said. The contraceptives offered by the council include pills, loops and condoms, he said, adding that while most youths aged between 10 and 24 were vulnerable to early pregnancies, STDS, baby dumping and dropping out of school after being pregnant, the council had made much progress in addressing such problems.
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