Why you need to wear condoms regularly

Many should know by now that shunning condoms during sex puts them at a higher risk of contracting sexually-transmitted diseases or getting pregnant every other month. But the majority still shun condoms.

According to a recent study conducted by the Society for Family Health, 80 per cent of the 1.8 billion sexual activities that occur in Nigeria yearly occur without the use of condoms.

The report states that in spite of its scientifically-proved efficacy in reducing the spread of the dreaded HIV/AIDS infection, eight out of every 10 Nigerian men do not use condoms during sexual intercourse and that most women do not insist on men wearing condoms either.

Why is condom use not popular in Nigeria? Though it is debatable, many are quick to give the excuse that it is uncomfortable and reduces the pleasure of sex.

Experts are worried about the low use of condoms among Nigerians. They note that the danger of not using them outweighs the displeasure associated with using them.

A medical practitioner, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, says going without condoms during sex does not only heightens one’s risks of contracting STDS like HIV/AIDS but it has also shown to increase maternal deaths arising from unsafe abortions of unwanted pregnancies.

He notes that many women who get pregnant through unprotected sex are often forced, depending on the environment, to seek unsafe abortions which could compromise their lives and health.

Odusote states, “Unwanted pregnancy is one of the complications that arise from unprotected sex. Sex is seen as a recreation not necessarily for procreation. When people are stressed and do not know what to do, sex is another way for them to relax. However, when an unwanted pregnancy arises from such activity, unsafe abortion is likely to happen.

“Many women have died seeking abortions of pregnancies that arose from an unprotected sex. Many homes have been broken because of unwanted pregnancies which occurred because some people, somewhere along the line, did not observe protection. Low condom use in Nigeria is one of the reasons the country has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality and unwanted pregnancy in the world.”

On sexually transmitted diseases, Odusote likens non-monogamous skin-to-skin sex to an invitation to sexually-transmitted infections.

He notes that though condom use does not guarantee 100 per cent safety, it has, however, been proved to reduce one’s chances of getting infected by more than 80 per cent.

“HIV is not the highest killer disease in the world, but it has the potential to be because of its various modes of transmission which includes sexual intercourse. One can get infected without even recognising it. Condom use has shown to reduce its transmission in Nigeria. I think it is high time people familiarised themselves with its use because HIV/AIDS is real,” he adds.

This advice is for young people hoping to become parents someday. Doctors warn that discarding the rubber during sexual intercourse may have great consequences for their fertility in future.

Odusote states that STDS, like gonorrhoea, syphilis and Chlamydia, which are transmitted during unprotected sex may lead to infertility.

He states, “Infertility is a growing problem in the world and statistics show that one-third of the male population may have fertility challenges. This development has been linked to increase in STDs like gonorrhoea and Chlamydia.

“These are infections that are difficult to detect and treat and using condoms has been known to prevent their transmission. This is a major reason we advocate condom use for young people.”

The physician stresses that it is not only the responsibility of a man to ensure that sex is safe, a woman can also ensure that she is protected by using a female condom.

He adds that some school of thoughts even suggests that female condoms were invented because men do not like wearing theirs. So, if your partner refuses to wear a rubber, you can use yours.

He says, “It is the woman that bears the brunt of an unwanted pregnancy in Africa. So, women should insist that their partners wear it. If he refuses, you can always use yours. Safe sex is a joint responsibility.”

If you must go without a condom, ask yourself sincerely – is your partner faithful to you? If you are not sure of the answer, don’t go with him/her to bed without condom.