A non-governmental organisation, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) gears up to celebrate 2019 International Condom Day (ICD), in other to promote prevention of STIs, HIV and unwanted pregnancies through free condom distribution and safer sex awareness events.
According to the a statement by the organisations Advocacy and Marketing Manager in Nigeria, Steve Aborisade, the activities will be in Abuja, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Anambra and Cross River State.
Aborisade clarified that the commemoration which is usually observed on February 13th ahead of the Valentine’s Day world-wide would this year be held on the 7th of February.
He said the “grand finale of outreach activities across AHF states are scheduled to hold on February 7 due to the upcoming general elections”.
According to the statement AHF-Nigeria Country Program Director, Dr. Echey Ijezie referenced the Nigerian National Condom Strategy which emphasised a deficit of 564 million condoms annually and, which must be met to achieve 90% condom coverage in the country.
Dr. Ijezie observed that abstinence from sex, for those who can, remains very effective in preventing STIs and unplanned pregnancies.
He said ‘‘the National AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey 2012 indicates that despite increased awareness about condom in Nigeria there is still low uptake. Whereas, AHF is confident that when we keep reminding people about using condoms, and when we make it easy for them to access free condoms, we would have helped to reduce new HIV and STIs, prevent unwanted pregnancies, while promoting healthy lifestyle choices.”
AHF Chief of Global Policy and Advocacy Terri Ford stated that “Condoms are still the cheapest and best option we have for preventing HIV and STDs, in addition to unwanted pregnancies.”
“Promoting safe sex practices is also incredibly important in a time when funding for global health has remained flat for the last several years,” says AHF President Michael Weinstein.
