TIRANA, APRIL 27, 2010      USAID’s family planning program launched today its second mass-media campaign aimed at increasing the use of modern contraceptives in Albania to prevent unplanned pregnancies. The month-long campaign will be broadcast nationally on television and radio and featured in print ads in major Albanian newspapers.

The event was attended by USAID/Albania’s Mission Director, Joe Williams, and the Minister of Health, Petrit Vasili.

“Enabling couples to determine whether, when, and how often to have children is vital to safe motherhood and healthy families and is a principal objective of USAID worldwide,” said Williams in his remarks. “Voluntary family planning using safe and effective methods of contraception, has profound health, economic, and social benefits for families and communities.  USAID supports the Ministry of Health in its effort to increase the use of modern contraceptives in Albania.”

According to the Albania Demographic Health Survey (ADHS), released in April, the use of contemporary methods has increased from 8% in 2002 to 11% in 2009. However, this low level of use, coupled with Albania’s declining birthrate, indicate that abortions may be the primary method of dealing with unplanned pregnancies.  This reliance can have long-term, negative consequences to women’s health. Some forms of modern contraception also protect individuals from sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

USAID’s Family Planning and Maternal and Neonatal Child Health program provides information to young men and women ages 18-35 about contemporary contraceptive methods and counter misconceptions about side effects.  The program also works with physicians and pharmacists on how to counsel women with the latest information on the benefits of family planning.