‘Condomize Malawi’ tackles HIV new infections
The increase in new infections of HIV in 10 districts has necessitated Ministry of Youth and UNFPA to increase awareness of the use of condoms among youths and vulnerable groups such as sex workers.
In 2013, Malawi recorded 66 000 new infections, the majority of the cases in the districts of Mulanje, Thyolo, Mangochi, Mzimba, Lilongwe Urban, Zomba and Ntchisi, among others.
At the weekend, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) took the ‘Condomize Malawi’ campaign to Mangochi following a National Aids Commission (NAC) study which found that the lakeshore district was coming third in the increase of new infections.
The HIV prevalence rate for Mangochi is 16.4 percent, according to NAC. This is above the national prevalence rate of 10 percent.
The campaign started on Friday with dissemination of condom use messages through comedies, music and dance as well as demonstrations on condoms.
The ‘Condomize Malawi’ campaign team in Mangochi moved from bottlestores in Cape Maclear where they interacted with sex workers and other night revellers to Makawa Trading Centre.
Ministry of Youth,Sports and Culture principal youth officer Deus Lupenga said the aim of the campaign was to increase awareness about condom use.
Said Lupenga: “There is so much stigma attached to condom use which reduces usage. This campaign will destigmatise condoms while disseminating messages that condoms prevent sexually transmitted infections but also unintended pregnancies.”
He added that ‘Condomize Malawi’ campaign would supplement a comprehensive sexuality education to engage youths at all levels in sexual and reproductive health matters.
UNFPA reproductive health and commodity security officer Milca Mdala said simple messages on HIV prevention through condom use could save lives and decrease incidences of HIV infection.
She said UNFPA would continue to supply condoms to the Malawi Government to reach out to all Malawians who can’t access easily such as youth and sex workers who frequent drinking places.
So far, UNFPA has procured 19 million male condoms and two million female condoms this year alone.
