Youths using 20 000 condoms monthly

Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
YOUTHS in Shurugwi have heeded the National Aids Council (NAC) call to practice safe sex, amid indications that they are using at least 20 000 condoms a month.

NAC recently announced that new HIV infections were rampant among youths between the ages of 15 and 24, particularly females who interact with men who are above 50.

Last year, NAC and other implementing partners distributed about 1,2 million condoms and is this year targeting to distribute more than 2,5 million condoms in the fight against the scourge.

Speaking during a NAC tour in Midlands, NAC condom champion in Shurugwi Miss Bethel Sibanda said youths had now embraced the use of condoms and were practicing safe sex.

“It is a commendable development that our youths in Shurugwi now understand the need to practice safe sex. It is disheartening to note that new HIV infections were high among youths between 15 to 24 years.

“There has been increase in the uptake of condoms by youths which are a sign that they are practicing safe sex. This area has a lot of artisanal miners and they usually lure young girls using money. Most of them offer US dollars and it is very tempting. So we have managed to educate our youths to practice safe sex.

“We distribute about 20 000 condoms a month to youths. We had a situation where school going children were getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This was because most condom champions were elderly people so it was difficult for youths to access them,” she said. Another condom champion Ms Patricia Mukukumidzi they were distributing about 8 000 condoms among sex workers.

Ms Mukukumidzi said it was also disheartening to note that most married women were now getting into sex work, being lured by foreign currency being offered by artisanal miners.

“Most of the people whom we give condoms are married women who are now into prostitution. What is happening is artisanal miners are now paying in foreign currency so most women including married women are now into prostitution.”