Use Bliss Condom, Women Urged

Speaking during a bliss road show in Botshabelo last week, Sexual Transmission Infections Coordinator for Selebi-Phikwe, Kabo Masupe said women should use the female condom the same way as men use theirs. She explained that the female condom was introduced in Botswana in 2002 and its use has been low hence the need to promote it through road shows across the country.  She stated that there is also a shortage of the female condom in health facilities. Masupe mentioned that women in the 15-49 age group were vulnerable to HIV infection. She said according to a recent survey, the infection rate for women is 19 percent as compared to men, which is only 13 percent.

Masupe informed the residents that the infection rate of HIV and other Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Selebi-Phikwe is the highest in the country. She pointed out that they have tried to justify the reason why this town has the highest infection but the justification was dismissed. She stated that this was a concern and people must take it seriously. She called upon women to take the responsibility to reduce the spread of STIs in this town. 'By the end of 2008, there were about 5, 837 STIs in this town and only few people were fully treated. It has shown that the numbers are still increasing because we have people who are not fully treated and infect others,' she said.

Masupe explained that some of the things that they have identified to be at the core of spreading STIs are alcohol abuse, teenage girls who go out with older men and unplanned pregnancies. She called upon the youth to take responsibility for their lives and avoid being parents before their time. She also advised men to go for circumcision, that has proved to be reducing the chances of STIs infection by 50 percent. She mentioned that 31 men have gone for circumcision at Tapologong Clinic since April this year. Masupe observed that male condom usage is at par with the rate at which STIs are spreading and pregnancies are also happening. She mentioned that this shows that there is inconsistent use of the male condom. 'We have condom dispensers in all our clinics and government hospital. We also hold morning health talks in health facilities, which are meant to advise people to take care of themselves. We are also trying to stop perceptions that people have about female condom such as the condom being noisy and some using its rings as bracelets,' she said. Masupe said people have been given enough information about female condom usage. One of the residents, Mariam Kereeditse, aged 34, said she has never used the female condom because she does not have enough information. She also called upon the health personnel to make it more accessible like the male condom. Another resident, Lorato Malope, 23, said she has never used it because of its design. She complained that the design was discouraging. Cecilia Leabeng said she heard from her friends that they were bleeding after using the female condom and that she would not use it, as a result. Ester Moloi said she was discouraged to use the female condom by the eight hours one had to wait. She called for the condom to be discarded.