With sex becoming too common, only 70 million Nigerians put on condoms during the process, according to a recent reports.
The is contained in report on condom access and utilization in Nigeria conducted the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and other organizations.
According to the report, this represents 34 percent of the population, which is estimated to be 206 million going by latest United Nations figures.
It further revealed that there exists a gap of 564 million condoms needed annually in order to achieve 90 percent coverage across the country.
Furthermore, the report showed that the North Central, South South, and Southeast used more condoms than any other region in the country, at 44, 42, and 40 percent respectively. South West, North East and North West had 38, 26, and 22 percentages respectively in condom use. Also, more males had access to condoms than their female counterparts.
In his address yesterday in Abuja, to commemorate this year’s International Condom Day, Director General of NACA, Dr. Gambo Aliyu, noted that condoms play a vital role in the country’s HIV response strategy as regards prevention if used correctly and consistently.
He, however, stressed that the agency is also keen on promoting faithfulness to one partner. Noting that if people are faithful to their partners, the use of condoms to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) will be unnecessary.
He said: “Today’s event, since its first commemoration in 2009 has been part of the various innovative ways of promoting the use of condoms and reminding sexually active people that correct use of condoms can prevent sexually transmitted infections like HIV as well as unwanted pregnancy.