There is still stigma associated with purchasing and accessing condoms publicly in Rwanda, yet condoms are considered safe to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies, and other sexually transmitted diseases.
It is for this reason that AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Rwanda, in collaboration with Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and other stakeholders, converged in Kigali, on February 13, to celebrate International Condom Day with a vibrant media campaign targeted to address life-threatening issues regarding condom accessibility and the stigma associated with it.
For the message of advocacy for safer practices and promoting sexual health to reach all Rwandans, AHF partnered with more than 35 media outlets whom they educated and informed about the essence of the use of condoms to fight HIV/AIDS and save lives. During panel discussions, it was highlighted that condoms remain the best option for averting HIV, other sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned pregnancies.
HIV prevalence in Rwanda stands at 3 percent among individuals aged 15 to 49, with new infections at 0.08 percent. Within the demographic of new infections, 35 percent are youth aged between 15 and 24.
The role of AHF in curbing HIV
Narcisse Nteziryayo, the Prevention Programs Manager at AHF Rwanda, said: "We equip young people with skills to make informed decisions and remind them that the threat of AIDS still exists and has no vaccine, or cure, but there is a chance to protect themselves.”
He noted that some of the HIV protection measures are abstinence and use of condoms which is why AHF Rwanda is promoting condom use during the journey of eliminating HIV by 2030.
During the celebration of International Condom Day, free condoms were distributed, and participants were encouraged by health experts to start or continue using condoms regularly and to shun fearing to access condoms.
Nteziryayo stressed that AHF Rwanda provides free HIV prevention services including awareness, condom distribution, HIV testing, voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), linkage to care, and treatment, in 38 supported health facilities in diverse districts including 12 in Kigali, three in Rwamagana, two in Kayonza, four in Nyagatare, four in Musanze, two in Nyabihu, and two in Rubavu Districts.
"We provide mentorship to healthcare providers with skills to perform HIV testing activities, care, and treatment for those who tested positive.”
AHF Rwanda issues free circumcision in all their 38 supported health facilities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), male circumcision has been shown to reduce the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men by up to 60 per cent.
Nteziryayo said that AHF Rwanda trains healthcare practitioners to have youth friendly corners to equip young people with knowledge on HIV and other prevention, care and treatment services since they need privacy to open up and learn. AHF Rwanda organizes and conducts awareness campaigns targeting key population groups.
From 2010 to 2023, AHF Rwanda supported HIV prevention services such as tests, counseling, and treatment in 38 supported health facilities. For example, they counseled and tested 1,706,148 people, an average of 121,868 tested per year.
The total positives in these health centers included 18,156. An average of 1,297 positives per year with a positivity rate is 1.1per cent. Those who tested positive were advised to start care and medication.
The total linked to HIV care and treatment services is 16,246 people where the percentage of linkage is 89.5 per cent. However, for 2023, the linkage percentage is 94.3 per cent.
The condoms distributed from 2018 to 2023 were 22,255,953 and the voluntary medical male circumcision figures from 2015 to 2023 indicate that 233,721 males were circumcised.
According to the World Health Organization, over one million people, globally, acquire STIs every day, and 117 million new HIV infections since 1990 have been averted, with the use of condoms playing a vital part in this success.
International Condom Day, which is observed on February 13, every year, offers people around the world a chance to receive free condoms and essential information about proper condom use and other sexual health issues.
Rwanda imports more than 32 million condoms every year, with AHF contributing 4 million of them.