United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has bemoaned the continued low condom use and other forms of contraceptives in the country.
UNFPA Country Representative Deji Popoola said the low condom use in the country is worrying as it is an indication of high risk behavior which can result in increased infections of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STIs) such as HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Popoola told ZANIS in Lusaka today that there is need for more advocacy on condom use and to promote protective rubber sheath as a dual protector from STI’s and unwanted pregnancies.
He said although condoms are readily available and accessible at either very cheap prices or free of charge, their consumption have continued to be low in the country despite several efforts to sensitize communities on their importance in family planning and prevention of STI’s.
And Dr Popoola has observed that the contraceptive drug Depo-Provera has continued to be some women’s choice contraceptive regardless of the controversy that surrounded it after reports that it contained the HIV virus that causes AIDS.
He said according to the UNFPA’s findings, most of the women that accessed the contraceptive from government medical institutions continued accessing it from the private sector after the established false media reports.
Dr. Popoola said all districts in the country are currently making orders of Depo-Provera from the Medical Stores adding that the continued production supply is an indication of restored confidence and consumption of the contraceptive by women across the country.
He has since commended government through the Ministry of Health for having handled the once controversial Depo-Provera issue professionally.
Recently media reports that Depo-Provera a contraceptive injection for women contained the AIDS virus stirred emotions of anxiety among some consumers in the country.
The contraceptive was however withdrawn from medical institutional shelves for thorough investigations after which it was conclusively established that it was free of HIV.
And UNFPA Programme Officer for Reproductive Health Sarai Malumo said there is need to establish reasons behind the low usage of condoms in the country despite various and extensive forms of sensitization campaigns.
Dr. Malumo said the trend is not encouraging because statistics have continued to show an overall imbalance in the use of condoms and other forms of contraceptives among both the urban and rural populations in the country.
She however said that her organization will not relent in carrying out sensitization campaigns and education programs to ensure that contraceptives are used in both family planning and prevention of STI’s such as HIV/AIDS through the use of condoms.
ZANIS/CM/AM/ENDS
Why should be bemoaned when there low condom use it shows that most are either abstaining or producing children. It is african culture my friend, to either produce children in abundant or abstain!
sebenzesani makondomu.
You People open your minds with this Americans. They are just playing with us Psychologically and Philosophically. Does really American use condoms? Where do they manufacture the condoms? Who uses them? Do American really have the natural resources?
American produces Condoms and sell them in Africa. So if african are not use them they lose the market. So here is a question of playing with us Psychologically and Philosophically so that they can make market. Africans let us becareful and open up our mind.
Yaba.
“…I am protected…are you?” Remember the Kalu maximum protection ad?
IMWE DID YOU KNOW THAT THESE CONDOMES FROM AMERICA ARE MADE SPECIFICALLY FOR AFRICA, AMERICANS THEMSELVES DONT USE THEM. THINK TWICE. THEY ARE DOING AMA EXPERIMENTS PALI IFWE KA. JUST WAIT FOR YOUR TIME EN MARY ONE WIFE EN BE FAITHFULL. HAVE LIVE SEX AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT. HAVE MANY CHILDREN AS OUR LORD BLESSES YOU. CONDOM ILETA FYE UBUCHENDE TO YOUTHS.
Live is wonderful until diarhoea , coughing, rash, and swelling legs start.
#6 u are rite on the dot. these guys who advocate for condom use are just business men/women. In america condoms are never given freely yet they want to show kindness to us. we better read between the lines.
How come condoms are freely available in africa yet we dont manufacture them? rubber is very expensive and can a sane man make something expensive and just dish it like that in this capitalist minded age? THINK TWICE
the surest and best condom you can use is ABSTAINENCE AND FIDELITY not that rubber things from America.
Could someone help me; Now whay are the american forcing us to use condoms???? Is it business or something else?
Pipo still die because sex is cheap and free to all and if they dont abstain or use condoms, they die, be sensible and wise. Condoms saves, not even christianity has helped because sex is free for all and abstainance impossible for some pipo, so condomise. Americans use the condoms, and pipo in Africa are not Responsible with matters of sexuality, and suffer the concequences of there actions
That country representative thinks Zambians are sex machines? How could a normal personal be saddened because people minimize sexual intercourse? You can take back your condoms to America where you have better success in condom business.
pipo are not doing it
# 12 must be from some unknown plannet or is just pretending when he claims that Zambians have minimized sexual intercourse. Come on people, let’s be real here. All you need to do is just visit the guest houses that keep multiplying like a plague, then you will understand that sex is indeed in the city. Those “guest houses” are typical whorehouses where sex is peddled cheaply and yours for the picking. If # 12 thought even for a minute that those guest houses are only for decent travellers, then he’s got it coming. So up yours # 12 for deriding this very important personal protective equipment called a condom. Of course I know it’s not 100% safe, but its better than nothing.
Dear all, in the USA we have our own special condoms we use.This is an experiment we are doing, we want to see whether these condoms can burst in side due to maximum heat due to the infections inside.Lastly, i got sad and concerned that you people are busy making babies or is it that you are starving so no energy?We are watching you guys we need alot of data on this one
Oh my my, did I figure that “Dr Deji Popoola” was a nut job? How do you say such a thing? Shame on you.
#10, the answer to your question is simple. These condoms are contamited and being used for experiments on Africans. Just think about it. ‘There ain’t nothin’ for free in a capitalist state.’ They need to keep funding drug research coz that means big ca$h for drug companies.
(meant contaminated)
My god guys, when will you stop wanting it live? Don’t you see your brothers and sisters dying because they had it “live”. Now they are not “a”live. You want to go the same route? Stop blaming the americans for donating condoms to you! You should be grateful for it!