Health experts promote proper condom use
By Ni Ni Myint and May Thaw
DESPITE the obvious advantages of wearing condoms, many people in Myanmar remain unaware of the benefits of their use or are reluctant to use them at all.
“People still ignore condom use,” said Dr Htun Linn Oo, the project manager and coordinator of the Myanmar Business Coalition on AIDS. “Everyone needs to be aware that condoms are a health aid and they need to know how to use condoms correctly.”
He said that many of those who know about condoms are too ashamed to buy or use them but stressed their importance as a means to protect against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD), pregnancy and even ovarian cancer.
“Condoms must be used correctly before, during and after intercourse to be effective in preventing disease. They must be used consistently and correctly for maximum protection,” said U San Myint, a senior health educator for the coalition.
He said that although male condoms are much more common in Myanmar than female condoms, his organisation works to distribute information about both types.
“Female condoms are more expensive and are a little difficult to use, while male condoms can easily be bought at any pharmacy, but people who have used female condoms say they like them because they’re more comfortable than male condoms during sex,” U San Myint said.
There are between 120 and 150 different brands of condoms on the market, most of them made in Thailand, the United States, India, China and Japan, he said, adding that choosing a reliable brand was vital for the safety of users.
“Before choosing a brand, people should talk to their doctors about which one is best for them,” he said. “In Myanmar, Aphaw is a trusted brand which is produced specifically to protect against HIV and other STDs.”
U San Myint said “ribbed” varieties that promise increased pleasure should be avoided because they can break more easily and increase the risk of STD infection.
He said another important consideration when using condoms was to make sure they were not past the expiration date printed on the packaging.
“Before buying condoms it is important to rub the package to make sure the lubricant inside has not expired and dried out,” U San Myint said. “If additional lubricants are used they should be water-based because oil-based lubricants can damage the condom and cause it to break during intercourse.”
http://mmtimes.com/no365/n017.htm
