Aids Healthcare Foundation, an NGO, says the use of condoms still remains one of the best methods for the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Oluwakemi Gbadamosi, the Advocacy Manager of AHF, gave the assurance on Saturday during a community outreach to commemorate the 2015 International Condom Day.
It was tagged: Condoms are cool.
It was held in Abuja.
Gbadamosi said that condom was one of the widely available and highly effective HIV prevention tools.
She said the day was to sensitise more Nigerians on the need to use condoms.
She said: “The International Condom Day is commemorated annually to reiterate the need for consistent and correct use of condoms as means of HIV prevention.
“Globally, the world is experiencing a decline in condom use and now more than ever the message of HIV and AIDS prevention needs to be at the forefront.”
According to Gbadamosi, the community outreach is to bring the message down to the people at the grass root.
Gbadamosi said the NGO discovered that that many people might not have adequate information on the use of condoms in the area.
She said: “The reason for choosing the Kpaduma community is because of the rural nature of the environment as many people here might not have adequate information on the use of condoms.”
Elizabeth Duile, the Preventive Manager of the Foundation, said those who already know their HIV and AIDS status to be negative should continue to avoid the condition.
Duile said: “If one is negative, it is not guaranteed that one cannot be positivetomorrow.
“Many have been careless and have died in the process.
“The awareness is to reawaken the awareness of condom use in preventing STDs.”
Christie Awunor, the HIV Coordinator of the Foundation, advised that people should check expiry dates before using condoms as it could be dangerous.
Awunor said: “Avoid using your teeth or sharp objects to open the condoms and also avoid using two condoms at a time.
“Condoms must be disposed properly as some children could mistake it for balloons.”
The World Condom Day holds every February 13, but was rescheduled in Nigeria due to the country’s general elections earlier scheduled for February 14.
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