International Condom Day is a fun yet crucial reminder of the continuing importance of condoms in safeguarding sexual health.
Launched by the Aids Healthcare Foundation in 2009 and celebrated annually on February 13, this observance highlights the significance of condoms in preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Condoms remain indispensable, affordable and a discreet aid in disease prevention, but research shows concerning trends, particularly among South African youth, where inconsistent use persists.
More than a million STIs are acquired every day worldwide, most of which are asymptomatic. STIs have a direct effect on sexual and reproductive health through stigmatisation, infertility, cancers and pregnancy complications and can increase the risk of HIV.
Therefore, to realise the ambitious goal of zero new HIV transmissions by 2030 in South Africa, it is necessary to strengthen advocacy efforts surrounding condoms. This involves understanding health-seeking behaviour among youth while confronting various barriers to condom access and uptake, including entrenched societal attitudes, cultural norms, religious beliefs, economic disparities and funding gaps.
Advancing condom awareness and use would also necessitate a vigorous review and implementation of comprehensive sexual education in South African schools. By delivering age-appropriate condom information to pupils and youth through accessible mediums, we can bridge the gap in understanding HIV and STI prevention.
Myths such as “sex isn’t nice with a condom”, “condoms aren’t necessary for oral sex”, “you only need to put a condom on before you ejaculate” and “assuming your partner is faithful means you don’t need to use a condom” need to be addressed and the right condom information shared.
Despite ongoing efforts to address challenges independently by an array of stakeholders, persistent issues such as high rates of teenage pregnancy and new HIV transmissions among sexually active youth underscore the need for comprehensive action.
The latest adolescent pregnancy data from Statistics South Africa shows 90,037 girls aged 10 to 19 gave birth from March 2021 to April 2022.
The latest statistics on teenage pregnancy in South Africa reflect a concerning deficit in youths' understanding and practice of safer sex. Engagement with young people is essential to grasp their attitude to condoms and empower them to participate in decisions concerning their sexual health and behaviour from an evidence-based standpoint.
Their experiences can inform policy development and enhance the effectiveness of interventions. Additionally, to effectively capacitate young people on their sexual health rights and equip them to put essential theory into practice, healthcare workers must be trained to hospitably provide youth friendly sexual reproductive health services.
Addressing economic power imbalances is crucial, particularly for women and girls who are out of school, as this directly affects condom use rates and worsens the spread of STIs, including HIV. Empowering women economically and socially is key to enabling them to negotiate condom use and protect themselves from infections.
At the policy level, the implications of condom shortages and poorly executed disease prevention strategies targeting young people are dire, constituting a national tragedy for South African youth.
Policymakers, communities, parents and youth themselves bear the responsibility of ensuring universal condom access, promoting safe sex practices and enhancing condom visibility. South Africa distributes more than a billion condoms annually. The financial contribution to condoms and HIV prevention is cost-saving investment in the long-term.
Decisions regarding condom distribution and management are not mere administrative tasks, but a societal obligation to safeguard the futures of young people.
Advocating for condoms and ensuring young people have access to accurate information and support is paramount. Failing to address sexual health needs, such as condom usage, amounts to ignoring a significant public health challenge. Leaders and policymakers must listen to young people to tailor interventions that meet their needs effectively.
On this International Condom Day, let's reaffirm that prioritising safer sex practices is attractive and essential. Condoms remain an indispensable and effective tool in protecting the health and wellbeing of young people, underscoring the importance of making their health a priority.
Murombedzi is the Aids Healthcare Foundation's Southern Africa regional advocacy policy and marketing manager.
Prioritising safer sex practices essential on International Condom Day
Image: 123RF/yeko
International Condom Day is a fun yet crucial reminder of the continuing importance of condoms in safeguarding sexual health.
Launched by the Aids Healthcare Foundation in 2009 and celebrated annually on February 13, this observance highlights the significance of condoms in preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Condoms remain indispensable, affordable and a discreet aid in disease prevention, but research shows concerning trends, particularly among South African youth, where inconsistent use persists.
More than a million STIs are acquired every day worldwide, most of which are asymptomatic. STIs have a direct effect on sexual and reproductive health through stigmatisation, infertility, cancers and pregnancy complications and can increase the risk of HIV.
Therefore, to realise the ambitious goal of zero new HIV transmissions by 2030 in South Africa, it is necessary to strengthen advocacy efforts surrounding condoms. This involves understanding health-seeking behaviour among youth while confronting various barriers to condom access and uptake, including entrenched societal attitudes, cultural norms, religious beliefs, economic disparities and funding gaps.
Advancing condom awareness and use would also necessitate a vigorous review and implementation of comprehensive sexual education in South African schools. By delivering age-appropriate condom information to pupils and youth through accessible mediums, we can bridge the gap in understanding HIV and STI prevention.
Myths such as “sex isn’t nice with a condom”, “condoms aren’t necessary for oral sex”, “you only need to put a condom on before you ejaculate” and “assuming your partner is faithful means you don’t need to use a condom” need to be addressed and the right condom information shared.
Despite ongoing efforts to address challenges independently by an array of stakeholders, persistent issues such as high rates of teenage pregnancy and new HIV transmissions among sexually active youth underscore the need for comprehensive action.
The latest adolescent pregnancy data from Statistics South Africa shows 90,037 girls aged 10 to 19 gave birth from March 2021 to April 2022.
The latest statistics on teenage pregnancy in South Africa reflect a concerning deficit in youths' understanding and practice of safer sex. Engagement with young people is essential to grasp their attitude to condoms and empower them to participate in decisions concerning their sexual health and behaviour from an evidence-based standpoint.
Their experiences can inform policy development and enhance the effectiveness of interventions. Additionally, to effectively capacitate young people on their sexual health rights and equip them to put essential theory into practice, healthcare workers must be trained to hospitably provide youth friendly sexual reproductive health services.
Addressing economic power imbalances is crucial, particularly for women and girls who are out of school, as this directly affects condom use rates and worsens the spread of STIs, including HIV. Empowering women economically and socially is key to enabling them to negotiate condom use and protect themselves from infections.
At the policy level, the implications of condom shortages and poorly executed disease prevention strategies targeting young people are dire, constituting a national tragedy for South African youth.
Policymakers, communities, parents and youth themselves bear the responsibility of ensuring universal condom access, promoting safe sex practices and enhancing condom visibility. South Africa distributes more than a billion condoms annually. The financial contribution to condoms and HIV prevention is cost-saving investment in the long-term.
Decisions regarding condom distribution and management are not mere administrative tasks, but a societal obligation to safeguard the futures of young people.
Advocating for condoms and ensuring young people have access to accurate information and support is paramount. Failing to address sexual health needs, such as condom usage, amounts to ignoring a significant public health challenge. Leaders and policymakers must listen to young people to tailor interventions that meet their needs effectively.
On this International Condom Day, let's reaffirm that prioritising safer sex practices is attractive and essential. Condoms remain an indispensable and effective tool in protecting the health and wellbeing of young people, underscoring the importance of making their health a priority.
Murombedzi is the Aids Healthcare Foundation's Southern Africa regional advocacy policy and marketing manager.
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