Dr Kema Onu, State Coordinator, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF),
says although condoms are better alternative to the prevention of
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancy, its correct
usage has remained a challenge.
Condoms |
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
Feb. 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 (STIs) and HIV, and prevention of
unwanted pregnancies.
“But the problem is, many still don’t know how to use the condom
appropriately and that is why we are here to create awareness on the
proper usage,” Onu said.
He said condom is 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 some certain kind of
condoms.
He said although the National Condom Strategy emphasised the deficit
of 564 million annually in the country, saying with the consolidated
efforts of government and other stakeholders the gap could be bridged.
The Medical Director of AHF, Dr Emmanuel Nwabueze, said the
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 in a way to reduce the rate of HIV and STDs in the country,
the foundation had 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 condom were physical barriers that could reduce the
risk of a sexual exposure to HIV because they are made of materials that
do not allow the HIV virus to penetrate through them.
The State Nursing Coordinator, Mrs Christie Awunor, said many
individuals were still ignorant on the proper usage, 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 which makes it ineffective.
The Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Mr Steven Aborisade, said the
condoms would be distributed in Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa, Anambra, Benue
and Cross River States.
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