For those over 50, the use of condoms remains taboo

There ahf foundation (AIDS Healthcare Foundation), dedicated to the prevention, detection and treatment of HIV AIDS, revealed that a survey carried out in Argentina revealed that there is still a taboo around to talk about sexuality and on the use of condoms Between people over 50 years oldmen and women, a situation that is detrimental to the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

In the international condom day, remembered every February 13, AIDS Healthcare Foundation released data from the survey carried out in the country by its branch in Argentina as part of its activity to promote the use of condoms in the world. If everyone used it, it would prevent, according to the entity, 200,000 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and 6,000 teenage pregnancies every day in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean.

International Condom Day was created in 2008 by the AHF, to raise public awareness of self-care and the correct use of condoms as the most practical and effective means of avoiding the transmission of STIs such as HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea or the human papilloma virus.

The most important data from the survey conducted by AHF Argentina indicated that the 38.8% of adults over 50 prefer don’t answer if he used a condom and, of those who responded, only the 17% He said he always used it, while the others admitted to not always or never using it. AHF recalled that the use of condoms is the most effective method to prevent STIs. Even so, he said, it continues to be a taboo subject for Argentines.

The organization clarified that the percentages of condom use were similar to the sample analyzed in young people and teenagers in the same period, with which the non-use of condoms is a general problem of the population.

Participated in the survey 6,814 peopleof which 1,474 were over 50 (51% female, 48% male, 1% trans female, and 0.3% trans male). Among those who have never used a condom, the 19.7% He mentioned that if his partner offered it, it would facilitate its use, since there is still a stigma attached to wanting to incorporate the condom into the couple and it is not considered as a possibility of safe and pleasurable sexual health.

Most Latin American countries have reported an increase in STI cases, with rates varying between 15% and up to 40% for syphilis, HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, among others. According to calculations by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), every day 200,000 new cases of STIs in the Americas, all preventable through the correct use of condoms. At the same time, teenage pregnancies in Latin America continue to rise, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 2 in 10 live births are children under teen moms, that is to say about 2 million births each year, or nearly 6 thousand a day.

In this 2023 AHF celebrates the 15th anniversary of International Condom Day and invites the people of Latin America and the Caribbean to join this “latex party”said, and share the message of self-care and self-love. “Because using a condom is a fun way to take care of yourself and your partner(s),” he added.

In the case of Argentina, he said, the activities will be carried out in more than 30 country pointsOr they will distribute condoms free and preventive information on STIs will be provided; Additionally, there will be also test for HIV. To know all the activities you can go to https://testdevih.org/dia-internacional-del-condon-2023/.

Natalie Haye, The Director of HIV Testing and Prevention of AHF Argentina, indicated regarding the result of the survey that “these data in adults over 50 years of age may be due to the taboo representing talking about sexuality in this particular population. It is not enough for the State to buy condoms and lubricants to distribute them for free, but public policies that bring community input closer together must be implemented or improved, so that they are accessible to all ages.

“The use of the condom must be encouraged by integrating it into the daily dialogue, so that it ceases to be taboo and is associated, not only with personal care, but also with pleasure. This is why it is essential to guarantee free access, in unconventional places to encourage its use,” added Haag.

Condom use has had a significant impact on the global response to HIV/AIDS, preventing an estimated 117 million new HIV infections since 1990, about half of them in sub-Saharan Africa and more than a third in Asia and the Pacific . Yet millions of people around the world do not have access to condoms, according to data from UNAIDS.

In Latin America, a third of the population, more than 201 million people, live below the poverty line. povertyhey which limits their access to condoms. A three-pack of condoms has an average market price of $2.5, a price impossible to pay for someone living on $1.90 a day. And this is compounded by governments’ low purchase and distribution of condoms among the population, AHF Argentina said.

“People need tools to prevent HIV, other STIs and unplanned pregnancies, but it seems increasingly difficult with low availability of condoms, import barriers, additional taxes and prices. high,” said Terri Ford, AHF Global Policy and Advocacy Manager.

“AHF has placed condoms and STI prevention at the top of our global priorities to intensify our efforts to provide condoms to people in our 45 country teams despite the many barriers that exist,” Ford added.

In 2023, AHF continues its promotional campaign under the slogan “Always in fashion” to encourage people to increase its use, as a fun element in sexual relations and as an ally to give those who use it peace of mind and the freedom to enjoy their sex life as and with whomever they want.

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