Africa: Free HIV Testing, Condoms Distributed as World Marks Condoms Day
By Henry Neondo
NAIROBI---Kenya marked the International Condoms Day on Monday the 13 with massive HIV testing, counselling and free distribution of condoms in Mombasa.
At the Kenya’s second largest coastal city, over 6,000 condoms were freely distributed at a busy market in the town.
Medical officer of health at Mombasa municipal council Swaleh Chidagaya, who was the chief guest, told those at the celebrations to take advantage of the many HIV testing units to know their status. "We don't intend to test and know how many people are infected with AIDS. We only want people to know their status and live without fear and anxiety," said Chidagaya.
Mary Nyaguthie, AIDS Health Foundation regional preventive programmes coordinator, said the celebrations were aimed at educating people on proper use of condoms and other HIV/AIDS preventive measures prior to the valentine day. "We need to tell the society on the need to be careful and proper use of condoms in this valentine celebratory mood. The day came strategically at a time when people normally get overwhelmed with love and mess up in the end," said Nyaguthie.
In the US, AHF kicked off its Condom Nation tour from California's famed Venice Beach boardwalk. The tour will end late July in Washington DC just before the opening of the International AIDS Conference expected to be held in that city.
Condom Nation is a groundbreaking 20-state, six-month nationwide tour of AHF's specially-designed, 18 wheel big rig truck. The truck will stop in select cities in 20 states to hand 10 million free condoms, as well as safer sex information.
"Condom nation is a tour that we've created to give out condoms. Working with community partners we are planning to give out as many as ten million condoms," said AHF's James Vellequette, Associate Director.
"Condoms are the best way to prevent the transmission of this whole family of STDs. We will be coming to your town, we will give you four condoms and we want people to use them and share them with friends who are sexually active. That's definitely part of the message we are trying to get out: Hey, there's nothing to be ashamed of."
The first stop for Condom Nation was Oakland, California on February 17th and then on to Las Vegas, Nevada. The tour will end in late July in Washington, DC, just before the opening of the International AIDS Conference in that city.
In Nigeria, AHF partners coordinating International Condom Day events in Abuja, the capital city, and in the states of Kogi and Benue, distributed 23, 000 condoms and carried out 3,000 free HIV testing.
Information from Umlazi South Africa says there were educational talks during the road shows, HIV testing as well as free condom distribution. In addition, the top 5 groups that took part in the AHF-sponsored ‘Superstar Hip Hop Competition’ last year helped attract attention and retain the crowds.
In Swaziland at the Manzini Bus Rank (main terminal), AHF partnered with PSI-Swaziland to promote the use of condoms. PSI identified bus drivers and conductors under its most-at-risk-population (MARPS) program, and the group was the main target of free condom distribution.
AHF also targeted commuters and vendors in the market area surrounding the bus rank.
Over 36,000 LOVE condoms were distributed to people who participated in the promotion including transport operators. A further 100,000 condoms will be distributed in the local newspaper.
In Zambia, the Ministry of Health teamed up with partners to stage a mobile HIV testing in Lusaka and distributed 100,000 free condoms.