By Justina Auta
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), an NGO, has partnered the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) to promote correct and consistent use of condom in preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV.
The partnership among others, is part of advocacy ahead of the 2024 International Condom Day (ICD), annually celebrated on Feb. 13, and also the St. Valentine’s Day marked on Feb. 14.
Mr Steve Aborisade, Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF Nigeria, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
Aborisade noted that the theme for AHF 2024 celebration,“Just Use It’’, was to remind the public about the efficacy of condom as veritable means of preventing STIs, HIV and unplanned pregnancies.
He quoted Dr Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Program Director, as saying that the ICD gives people globally, an opportunity to receive free condoms and essential information about condom use and other sexual health issues.
“On ICD 2024, we urge everyone worldwide to remember that condoms save lives and remain the best option for preventing HIV, STI’s and unplanned pregnancies”.
According to Ijezie, the use of condom has significantly impacted the global HIV and AIDS response.
“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over one million people globally acquire an STI every day, and 117 million new HIV infections since 1990 have been averted, thanks to condoms.
“This is why, on ICD and beyond, the world must remember that condoms are safe, sexy, and essential to ending HIV and AIDS,” he said.
He further added that the foundation on youth engagement would collaborate NACA, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Program (NASCP), National Youth Network on HIV/AIDS Population and Development (NYNETHA), on Twitter space.
He said, the engagement on condom education would focus on adult and youth population, creating and expanding access to accurate information that support safer sex that could halt the tide of new infections.
He said: “There would be a road walk in Benue state with public education on condom to harp on correct and consistent use of the commodity, while free condoms would be distributed to the people.
“However, AHF Nigeria is strategically targeting the youth population with messages of abstinence, but for those who are unable to abstain, to use condom consistently and correctly.
“The emphasis on condom education stems from the need to create and expand access to accurate information that support safer sexual practices in the population, which can halt the tide of new infections being recorded.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that (AHF) is a global non-profit organisation providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to no fewer than 1.9 million people in 46 countries including Nigeria.(NAN)
