Concerns regarding the size of condoms available on the market have prompted Parliament to task the Ministry of Health with addressing this issue, especially in light of the upcoming International Condom Day slated for Tuesday, February 13th.
International Condom Day is an annual global event aimed at promoting condom use to prevent the transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies.
During the discussions, several MPs noted that many condoms on the market are not well-suited to Ugandans. They also highlighted gaps in educating the population on the correct usage of condoms to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa emphasized the importance of protection as a preventive measure promoted by the government and urged Health Minister Ruth Aceng to address the concerns raised by the legislators.
“On a very serious note, protection is one of the preventive measures promoted by government and I don’t know why you are laughing, only that it is a day I have never heard of being celebrated,” Tayebwa said.
In response, Dr. Aceng acknowledged the existence of International Condom Day and its purpose of raising awareness about condom use. She emphasized the need for advocacy to remind people of the importance of using condoms for protection.
“The National Condoms Day is commemorated annually and it is true that people know about condoms, but many don’t use them for protection, so the day is held as an advocacy to remind people to use condoms for protection,” she said
It is estimated that more than one million people acquire STIs and 80 million unintended pregnancies occur globally each year. Despite awareness about condoms, their usage remains low among certain demographic groups in Uganda.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that unprotected sexual intercourse is a major mode of HIV transmission, with approximately 1.4 million people living with HIV in Uganda.
Last year, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) country director Henry Magala emphasized the importance of prevention, suggesting that a significant number of infections could be prevented with correct and consistent condom use.
Currently, HIV prevalence is highest in the Central region of Uganda, largely due to urbanization and the concentration of population in the capital city of Kampala.
The recognition of AIDS as a sexually transmitted disease and the promotion of barrier methods, such as condoms, have led to increased condom usage globally. However, addressing concerns about condom size and ensuring their availability and proper usage are crucial steps in effectively combating HIV/AIDS and other STIs in Uganda.
