The AIDS Healthcare Foundation
has counselled couples to not use teeth or a pair of scissors to open a condom
whenever they want to use it.
The State Coordinator, AIDS
Healthcare Foundation, Dr. Kema Onu, says although condoms are good for the
prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and unwanted pregnancy, its correct
use has remained a challenge.
Onu said this during a march to
commemorate the World Condom Day on Thursday in Abuja with the theme ‘Safer is
fun.’
He explained that although the
Condom Day was supposed to hold on February 13, it was commemorated earlier due
to the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria, as many citizens would be
travelling to exercise their civic rights.
“The use of condoms remains a
better alternative for the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections and
HIV, and prevention of unwanted pregnancies.
“But the problem is, many still
don’t know how to use condom appropriately and that is why we are here to
create awareness on the proper use,” Onu said.
He said condom is a highly
effective strategy to reduce the risk of HIV transmission when used
consistently and correctly.
Onu said there are no side
effects to the use of condoms, noting, however, that there can be allergic
reactions to certain kinds of condoms.
He said although the National
Condom Strategy emphasised the deficit of 564 million condoms annually in the
country, with the consolidated efforts of government and other stakeholders,
the gap could be bridged.
The Medical Director of AHF, Dr.
Emmanuel Nwabueze, said prevention is better than cure, adding that the
foundation will continue in its efforts to create more awareness on the
prevention of STDs.
He said that as a way to reduce
the rate of HIV and STDs in the country, the foundation has condom dispensers
located at strategic locations in the FCT as well as five other states where it
operates, including Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Anambara, Cross River states.
Nwabueze said condoms are
physical barriers that could reduce the risk of exposure to HIV because they
are made of materials that do not allow the HIV virus to escape.
The State Nursing Coordinator,
Mrs. Christie Awunor, said many individuals are still ignorant on the proper
use, saying some still use their teeth or scissors to open condoms.
She said with the use of teeth or
scissors, one could damage the condom, thereby making it ineffective.
The Advocacy and Marketing
Manager, Mr. Steven Aborisade, said condoms would be distributed in Abuja,
Kogi, Nasarawa, Anambra, Benue and Cross River states as parts of activities
marking the World Condom Day.
(NAN)
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