National Condom Day Campaign |16 February 2018

‘Bottom line: If you are sexually active, get tested and use condoms’

In commemoration of National Condom Day which was celebrated on Wednesday February 14, 2018, the Health Promotion Unit of the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the HIV/Aids Prevention Task Force (HAPTF), initiated a four-day nation-wide campaign which began on Tuesday. The main purpose of the National Condom Day is to promote the use of condoms and educate people about the need for practicing safe sex at all times to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and also prevent unplanned/unwanted pregnancies.

The day is purposefully celebrated on Valentine’s Day to remind us of the importance of sexual relationships. Activities organised by the Ministry of Health during the week aim to make the public as well as staff more at ease when talking about or handling condoms.

As the movement draws to an end today, the Seychelles NATION spoke to Maryline Hollanda, sexologist and programme manager for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) at the ministry to learn more about the campaign, condoms and their importance.

Theme for National Condom Day 2018

This year’s theme is ‘Got Cake’ which according to Maryline serves to educate the population about the importance of getting and giving consent:

C – Consent

A – Ask first – Both partners of legal age actively agree to take part in sexual activities without fear, coercion or intimidation.

K – Keep safe – Both partners have the right to use condoms and other contraception to protect themselves from STIs and unplanned pregnancies.

E – Every time – Both partners have the freedom to choose when and what sexual activities to take part in, and the freedom to change their mind at any time.

Target audience

The campaign is targeted at the general population who are sexually active, especially the younger generation. Maryline points out that it is crucial to use condoms at all times if you:

• Do not know your status for STIs
• Have multiple partners
• Engage in sex work
• Are a man who has sex with men (MSM)
• Engage in risky sexual behaviour

Condoms and their importance

Condoms are thin barrier-devices made of latex (rubber) which are used during sexual intercourse to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies and STIs by 98%. Condoms can help prevent STIs like HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis and they can also reduce the risk of spreading certain infections like gonorrhoea and chlamydia during oral sex.

However, it is important to note that condoms may not protect against some infections or sexually transmitted parasites which can be spread through skin-to-skin contact such as oral and genital herpes, genital warts and pubic lice (crabs).

Statistics for STIs and teenage pregnancies in Seychelles

Statistics from the Epidemiology and Statistics Section of the Public Health Authority for a number of reported STIs and pregnancies among teenagers in Seychelles show that there is a cause for concern and that the use of condoms is therefore imperative in the reduction of such cases.

Reported pregnancies among teenagers aged 12-19 years, 1999 to 2016 in Seychelles

• In 1999 and 2016, 6.7% and 7.0% of teenagers were pregnant respectively; the highest percentage recorded was 7.6% in 2011.
• In 2016, 13.3% of all reported pregnancies at all ages, were teenage pregnancies.

HIV/Aids

• Since the first reported case in 1987, a cumulative of 843 HIV cases, representing 61% males and 39% females, were reported to date.
• Currently, 592 (358M/234F) cases are living with HIV; males more predominantly affected than females.
• The number of new HIV cases has gradually increased over the years, notably from 2005 onwards, with the year 2015 reporting the highest number of new cases of HIV in history.
• A cumulative of 156 (97M/59F) Aids related deaths were reported since 1993 to 2016, 62% of deaths occurred in males and 48% in females.

Syphilis

• A cumulative of 53,754 RPR/TPHA tests were conducted for syphilis from 2008 to 2016, of which 272 were tested positive.

Gonorrhoea

• Increasing trend in the incidence of gonorrhoea over the years from 2006 to 2011.
• A cumulative of 9076 tests were conducted since 2005 to date with a positivity rate of 12%.
• The number of suspected cases of gonorrhoea screened has gradually increased over the years from 680 tests in 2006, 863 tests in 2012 to 1054 tests in 2016.

Chlamydia trachomatis

• A total of 6664 tests for chlamydia trachomatis were conducted from 2005 to 2016 with 1154 positive cases reported, representing a case detection rate of 17.3%.

Types of condoms and proper use

Both male and female condoms are available for free in local health centres and can also be purchased in pharmacies. According to Maryline, the female condom empowers women to be more in control of their sexual encounters and can be inserted up to 8 hours prior to intercourse.

Maryline adds that women need to be aware and protect themselves against ‘stealthing’ – a rising trend where men are secretly and deliberately removing their condoms midway through sex, without the consent of their partner.

The following tips can help to ensure that condoms are kept safe and used correctly:

ü  Ensure that you practise placing a condom properly until you are comfortable with the procedure prior to sexual intercourse

ü  Make sure that you have the right size condom

ü  Use water-based lubricants as opposed to oil-based ones as they can break the condom

ü  Do not use ‘vaseline’ or ‘baby oil’ as lubricants

ü  Do not store condoms in places that are too warm such as wallets/purses; it is best to place them on your bedside table, in a drawer or in the side compartment of your backpack

ü  Always check the expiry date of the condom before use

ü  Do not break open the condom packet with your teeth

ü  Once used, ensure that semen does not drip from the condom, tie the condom and dispose of it in a bin

Myths and misconceptions

Maryline reminds us that there are many false myths and misconceptions about condoms and their use, some of which are listed below:

• Condoms reduce pleasure during sex
• During unplanned and passionate sexual activities, it is difficult to integrate condoms as it interrupts the experience
• Heterosexual sexual activities are safe hence, it is unlikely that you will contract HIV
• Women will be labelled as promiscuous or perceived as being readily prepared for sex if they carry condoms. Young sexually active men on the other hand are reluctant to use condoms in fear of looking inexperienced as they attempt to use condoms
• Condoms can be sabotaged; are ineffective and can cause diseases
• Sex with a condom is not real sex

For further information or enquiries, contact:

-           Your nearest Health Centre - Tel: 4388000

-           Youth Health Centre - Tel: 4388383

-           Communicable Disease Control Unit (CDCU) - Tel: 4388230