In a concerted effort to combat the spread of HIV and STIs, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria spearheaded activities in Anambra State to commemorate International Condom Day 2026. This initiative focused on promoting consistent condom use and reinforcing responsible sexual behavior. The campaign, which included a road walk and educational symposiums, aimed to address concerns about rising infection rates and advocate for increased investment in prevention strategies. The focus is to prevent HIV and other STIs, in order to live a healthy life. The event involves public awareness initiatives, health screenings, condom distribution, and partnership building to fight against HIV in the region.
The International Condom Day , observed annually on February 13th, ahead of Valentine's Day, serves as a crucial platform to promote safer sex ual practices and encourage responsible behavior, especially during a period often associated with heightened intimacy. Stakeholders have amplified calls for consistent condom use, highlighting the ongoing concern of new HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) cases despite the advancements in treatment coverage.
This warning was issued on Friday during a road walk in Awka, Anambra State, a key event within the activities commemorating the 2026 International Condom Day. This event was organized by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria in collaboration with the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) and other key stakeholders, aiming to reinforce safe sex practices. Steve Aborishade, AHF Nigeria’s Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager, issued a statement on Friday, stating that the campaign fully aligns with the organization’s global strategy to prevent new HIV infections. AHF has a significant global presence, operating in 47 countries and providing care to over 2.7 million individuals through its programs. Nigeria is one of the countries where they operate, with Anambra being a specific focus state. The campaign serves as a vital public awareness initiative and a renewed call for responsible sexual behavior within the state. AHF initiated International Condom Day to specifically promote preventative measures against HIV and other STIs, recognizing the need for individuals to protect themselves. Condoms remain the most effective and affordable method for preventing HIV/AIDS, according to Aborishade. The road walk was designed to popularize condom use, reminding residents that prevention eliminates the need for treatment. Thousands of AHF-branded condoms were distributed in Anambra during the event. The key message conveyed was: prevent HIV, stay healthy, and live your life. HIV is preventable, and unprotected sex is the biggest route of transmission. AHF expressed concerns about the resurgence of infections such as syphilis, attributing it partly to declining emphasis on prevention strategies, particularly condom promotion. The organization warned that reduced funding for sexual and reproductive health programs, coupled with prevention fatigue, could reverse the progress made in the fight against HIV. While HIV treatment has expanded in recent years, prevention efforts, especially consistent condom advocacy, have not received similar levels of attention and investment. Complementing the road walk, the campaign will also include a prevention symposium at the University of Abuja, specifically targeting students from the Faculty of Media and Communication Studies. The event will integrate education and free screening services provided by the AHF Abuja Wellness Centre. Vivian Sunday, the AHF State Coordinator in Anambra, underscored the importance of partnerships in addressing HIV in the state. She emphasized that collaboration is essential and that they work in partnership in all the states where they operate. She also listed collaborating agencies that include ANSACA, the Anambra State AIDS and STI Prevention Unit (SASCAP), the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (NEPWHAN), Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNI), the Police Action Committee on AIDS (PACA), and other community-based organizations. Anambra has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the South-east. Data from the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) puts the state’s prevalence at 2.4 percent. While emphasizing prevention, Ms. Sunday clarified that the campaign does not encourage risky behavior
International Condom Day HIV Stis Safer Sex AHF Nigeria
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