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From:	Adeyemo Gabriel [ profile ]
Subject:	Female condom side-effects exaggerated
Sent:	May 3rd, 2011 - 11:11:36

	Source:* Standard (Zimbabwe)* AUTHOR: Indiana Chirara http://www.thestandard.co.zw/local/29378-female-condom-side-effects-exaggerated.html Fellow Advocate, Fourteen years after the female condom was introduced in Zimbabwe, the device remains unpopular among women despite its celebrated advantages. Experts say the female condom remains the only tool for HIV prevention that gives women control and choice over their sexual health... A snap survey showed that the device was not popular with women because of a number of perceptions and lack of information. Most women who were interviewed said the condom produced too much noise during intercourse and was difficult to use. Patricia Chiutsi, a 43-year-old vendor from Tafara said she started using the female condom this year when her husband tested HIV positive but has never enjoyed the experience. "l was introduced to female condoms when I visited Beatrice Hospital with my husband," she said. "We liked it because we realised that it was very strong, reliable and that it can be worn hours before the act. "Unfortunately after a week of using it, l developed some rash and l immediately went to seek medical attention and was told to stop using it." ...A teacher from Glen View said she stopped using the female condom after she failed to learn to insert it. But a sex worker who only identified herself as Beulah said she had been relying on the contraceptive for years now because it does not easily burst like male condoms. Patience Kunaka, the Population Services International (PSI) interpersonal communications manager's said most negative perceptions about the female condom were unfounded. "According to research, these condoms do not have side effects," she said. "One might develop that rush after using an expired product or that person might have developed the rash before using the condom. "It is always safe for people to check the expiry dates of the condoms before using them." Kunaka also dismissed rumours that prostitutes especially in border towns re-use the female condom saying the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare has intensified the distribution of the free condoms in rural areas. She said where the condoms are sold, they were available at reasonable prices. -- Many Thanks Yours' in Prevention Science Adeyemo Damilare Gabriel Regional Focal Point - West Africa Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AID (GYCA) +234-80-6798-7317 \| gabriel (at) gyca.org www.gyca.org \| www.tigweb.org GYCA is a youth-led global network of more than 4,500 young leaders and adult allies working on youth and HIV/AIDS in 150 countries world-wide. GYCA's mission is to empower young leaders with the skills, knowledge, resources and opportunities they need to scale up HIV/AIDS interventions amongst their peers. Universal Access is possible; * Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths.** *

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