Aids Healthcare Foundation(AHF), an NGO, on Saturday said that the use of condom still remains one of the best methods for preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and emerging viruses in the world.
The Site Coordinator, AHF Clinic, Dr Kema Onu, made the observation in Abuja at the commemoration of the 2016 International Condom Day tagged: “Wrap Your Love.’’
Onu said that due to the emergence of various viruses such as Zika Virus in the world today, the importance of the use of condoms correctly and consistently cannot be overemphasized.
“ New viruses are emerging, viruses we never learnt of and we are beginning to know that this virus have a sexual transmission root.
“ Condom is one realistic way of stopping these emerging diseases; research has shown that eight out of every 10 men do not want to use condom.
“The importance of condoms is not just for the prevention of HIV and STDs.
“Rather in the face of the current zika virus pandemic, it is a wakeup call for us in Nigeria to use these commodities,” he said.
Onu stated that contrary to some religious and cultural beliefs, the use of condoms could only be ignored if individuals abstained from sex, hence the need to draw a line between the ideal and reality.
“We should draw the line between ideal and reality, it is ideal for people to abstain, but in reality people do not abstain, we need to be more realistic when dealing with human lives,” he said.
According to the managing director of the Foundation, Sir Bright okweremadu, 8.7 billion sexual activities occur every year in Nigeria, however, the use of condoms are more realistic.
“ The International Condoms day is commemorated annually to reiterate the need for consistent and correct use of condoms as a means of prevention,” he added.
The Prevention Program Manager of the Foundation, Mrs Elizabeth Duile, said that the international condoms day was not a day to promote promiscuity but for people to take responsibility for their sexual and reproductive health.
“The awareness is to reawaken the use of condom in preventing STD’s, unwanted pregnancies, HIV and AIDS.
“As we prepare for valentine, let people understand the value of taking control of their lives because your reproductive health is actually you.
“STDs, unwanted pregnancies for young girls, who are not ready to have a baby, HIV and AIDs could be prevented.
“People should be conscious of what they are doing, if they must have sex, they should use a condom,” she warned.
Duile said that AHF distributed not fewer than 500,000 condoms in its community outreach on HIV and AIDS, sensitisation and awareness campaigns in some areas as part of activities to commemorate the day.
She the condoms were distributed in areas like Abuja, Nasarawa, Benue, kogi, Anambra and Cross River among others.(NAN)
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