Rita Enemuru, Reporting
DEMAND for condoms in Cross River State has reached an all-time high, according to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), which revealed it has distributed more than 200,000 condoms across the state in the past six months.
The bulk of the distributions took place in Calabar, the state capital, where the foundation says uptake has been particularly strong.
Aruk Ene, AHF’s HIV/AIDS Prevention Coordinator, disclosed the figures on Saturday during a Walkathon organised by the Healthy Billionaires Club in Calabar to promote healthy living.
Speaking at the event, Ms Ene said the demand for condoms remained high, contrary to the widespread belief that their use was declining.
She revealed that the foundation distributed more than 50,000 condoms within just a few hours on 13 February, the day before Valentine’s Day.
“We distributed over 50,000 within hours and conducted tests for several persons,” she said.
Ms Ene added that AHF planned to hand out a further 10,000 condoms during Saturday’s event, noting that people continue to request the products whenever they are made available.
“I won’t agree that the use of condoms has reduced. People have their reasons, and this is why we embark on constant education on their use,” she said.
She also advised residents to use the appropriate condom size, warning that discomfort caused by ill-fitting condoms could discourage some people from using them altogether.
On HIV testing, Ms Ene encouraged residents to check their status regularly, saying those who test positive could be linked to treatment and laboratory monitoring with their consent.
“If you are positive, with your permission, we proceed with treatment and laboratory monitoring. If you are negative, we also advise and provide the necessary preventive drugs,” she said.
She said AHF could not immediately provide the number of people tested during the Walkathon.
Ms Ene noted that Cross River’s location, which attracts people from neighbouring states and Cameroon, results in the movement of people with different health conditions into the state.
However, she said the foundation could not determine which sexually transmitted infection among HIV, hepatitis and syphilis was most prevalent in the state.
She added that HIV prevention had evolved, with oral and injectable preventive drugs now available.
