Stakeholders advocate use of condoms to prevent STIs, unwanted pregnancies

Stakeholders advocate use of condoms to prevent STIs, unwanted pregnancies

Stakeholders have called for the correct and consistent use of condoms for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies.

The stakeholders made the call on Monday, in Abuja, in commemoration of the 2023 International Condom Day (ICD) Organised by AIDS HealthCare Foundation (AHF), in collaboration with various key stakeholders.

The stakeholders include NACA, UNFPA, Education as a Vaccine, the Association of Positive Youths (APYIN), and the Society for Family Health, among others.

International Condom Day which is celebrated annually on Feb. 13, in conjunction with Valentine’s Day has as its 2023 theme “Always in Fashion”.

Dr Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Program Director said ICD was celebrated every year to ensure awareness was raised about the use and importance of condoms in view to reducing STIs and unwanted pregnancies around the world.

Ijezie said the day was focused on a lot of creativity among adolescents and young people to raise awareness, demystifying stigma and misinformation on condom use.

“AHF has been commemorating ICD since 2009 and this is our 14th year.

“Over the years condoms have played a significant role in reducing STIs and unwanted pregnancies and it has contributed significantly in no small measure in reducing these infections and the reduction of unwanted pregnancies.

“So it’s a message we propagate, it’s a message we teach and it’s a message we want everyone to use,’’ he said.

Dr Einne Okey-Uchendu, Assistant Director NACA, said ICD was set aside to create awareness on the correct and consistent use of condoms among young people who cannot abstain from sexual activities to protect themselves.

“NACA implements programmes on comprehensive effective condom programming, we provide condom awareness on different activities especially for young and unmarried people because there is a high rate of HIV infection among young people.

“We are also using social media platforms so they have information on condom programmes like where to get condoms and how to use them correctly.

“Tomorrow is Valentine ’s Day and a lot of people try to show love by having sex, my message to everyone is love wisely, engage in safe sex and protect yourself by using condoms correctly,’’ she added.

Ms Oluwkemi Gbadamosi, Director for advocacy and Marketing for Africa Bureau AHF, said ICD was an innovative way of promoting safer sex awareness and the importance of condom use.

Gbadamosi said condoms remained critical and the only prevention tool for STIs and unwanted pregnancy adding that people should not be ashamed or afraid to use them.

Speaking on awareness of condom use, Gbadamosi mentioned that a condom culture survey conducted recently by AHF showed that Nigerians’ perception of condom use was highly influenced by culture and religion.

She, however, called for the need to educate pharmacies, supermarkets and chemist shops in rural communities on encouraging people to freely purchase condoms and not feel judged.

Mr Edoko Philips Programme Assistant, Education as a Vaccine, said the Day was set aside to engage young people in a fun and lively way, to ensure the message of practising safe sex was promoted.

Joy Oboyi Girls Act AHF Nigeria, said there was a need to make available appropriate messaging for all young people ranging from teenagers and those transitioning to become adults.

“We have to pass out information that cut across abstinence, saying yes to sex when ready, and teaching comprehensive sexuality education.

“This is important because when young persons are faced with the problem of ‘a guy is asking me out and I do not know what to do’?

“Communication skills become important so they can make informed decisions and are able to negotiate safe sex with their partners,’’ Oboyi said.

Stakeholders advocate use of condoms to prevent STIs, unwanted pregnancies