Debunk the condom myth in Shadishadi

| Friday November 25, 2011 00:00

Certain claims, myths, propaganda and falsehoods in these countries have proved to be extremely intractable obstacles in the fight against the spread and damage caused by the deadly virus. More often than not, these claims are no more than red herrings that side-track those involved in the anti-HIV/AIDS war. Botswana, once the country with the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world, has had its share of these myths and falsehoods.

The latest on yesterday's front are reports that residents of Shadishadi in the Kweneng District are shunning condoms because they get kidney problems after using the protective sheath. They have even identified the exact cause of the problems: the oil used as a lubricant for the condom. While a health official has dismissed this as a misconception what is going on in Shadishadi is a symptom of failure in our otherwise fairly successful efforts to control HIV/AIDS. The Shadishadi reports tie in with what obtains in parts of the country where there is strong evidence that the anti-HIV/AIDS messages are not sinking in. We have reported about research that indicates rising cases of teenage pregnancy with some girls conceiving as early as their 11th birthday.

This means that attempts to control the spread of HIV through safe sex and abstinence are failing in these areas.

The Shadishadi case raises the possibility that kidney problems are unusually widespread in the village, raising an alarm bell for health authorities to do something.

It is possible that the high rate of renal ailments have led residents to home in on the condom as the source of the problem. Clearly, sorting out the kidney problem and its causes in the village would show the villagers that the condom is not the guilty party in this matter. Instead of the health official sounding helpless about Shadishadi, condoms and kidney problems, the authorities should devise new ways of dealing with what are old problems in the war against HIV.There is a misconception in the village and the sooner stakeholders in the battle to control the spread of the virus debunk this the better. The solution lies in change of strategy and moving away from talk to action.

Tangible action is needed here to show the villagers that the lubricant in the condom does not affect their kidneys.  What is happening in Shadishadi should should be a lesson that misconceptions must be dealt with decisively.  Some of these myths do not just come from nowhere. There must be a basis on which the people formed the misguided opinion  that the lubricant in the condom is damaging their kidneys. Such things must be investigated with a view to formulating ways to deal with false reports in future.  But can there be a possibility that the condoms are causing renal problems in Shadishadi? This may as well be a ponderable for the health authorities.

                            Today's thought

'They say their kidneys get painful after using condoms and they strongly believe it is the lubricating oil in the condom.'

                     - Health Education officer at Shadishadi,                             Oshale Sesupo