According to the UNAIDS Country Director, Dr
Bilali Camara, the high cost of female condoms is affecting its availability
and distribution in Nigeria.
Camara, who is also the UNAIDS Focal Point for ECOWAS,
disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja
on Sunday.
He said people shy away from promoting female condoms
because it was not readily available.
He added that:
“It creates deception and opposite effect when one
promotes what he or she cannot provide.’’
“female condom protects against the spread of HIV,
unwanted pregnancy and infections during sexual contact.
“However, it is not thought to work as well as male
condoms in protection against HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections
(STIs).
“The female condom is about 75 per cent to 82 per cent
effective with normal use. When used correctly all of the time, female condoms
are 95 per cent effective.’’
“the newer version, which costs less, is made of a
substance called nitrile.’’
Meanwhile, he said, four companies would commence
production of anti-retroviral drugs in Nigeria to enable more people to access
treatment on HIV/AIDS easily.
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