Re: Questions on Female Condoms

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Based on focal group discussion with migrant labourers, other high risk groups

through volunteers, out reach workers and peer group educators, we feel that

advocacy for the promotion of both male and female condoms is very much required

to impart correct knowledge, not only for safe sex but also for population

control and to clarify the different myths and doubts related with

this sex and sexuality especially STIs and RTIs.

People still hesitate to buy condoms, and female condoms are not freely

available in the market. Female condoms are costly and not promoted and

supported by Government agencies. It is very difficult to teach people at grass

root level how to use it properly and clarify the different myths and doubts

related to this issue. Being known in the community, they hesitate to buy

condoms from chemist shops in and around their locality. The idea of the

Community-based Depot Holder has been practiced and found to be successful. We

are trying to promote social marketing.

Vending condom machines are not suitably located and if they are, then they are

not working properly. People treat the vending machine more like a toy and

tamper with it rather than utilise it properly.

Sex is as always a tough taboo instead of an everyday occurrence. We also feel

that religious thinking among people prevent them from using condoms. We must

break this religious taboo by involving religious opinion leaders from the same

community. Further we will try to develop the cultural environment for social

acceptance of the condoms.

Awareness about HIV/AIDS through IEC are the only tools with regular follow-ups.

We need multiple approaches for awareness and utilization of condoms.

A couple of years ago how many females even knew what FCs were? One of the

problems with condoms, in general, has been the idea that they are 'new'

technology, We older people have trouble accepting new things, but teens today

are growing up with condoms as just another part of life.

On issues relating to cleansing and reuse of FC, let us not be naive; women use

and reuse FC in multiple partner situations not because they are concerned with

protecting their partners, but to protect themselves. This is a first important

step in women taking control of their lives. However, they are going to be less

concerned with proper cleansing as long as they are safe. Would it rather not be

better to suggest to women with multiple partners that proper cleansing of the

FC between partners will help to ensure that they are better protected

Dr.Avnish Jolly

Coordinator, Chandigarh AIDS Hotline

Servants of the People Society

Lajpat Rai Bhawan, Sector 15B

Chandigarh 160015, India

E-mail: avnish@...