‘Uncomfortable and disgusting’: Uganda’s 1.2m unwanted condoms

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Uganda has been left with a mountain of unused female condoms after spending hundreds of thousands of dollars buying in more than a million of the unpopular contraceptives.

The low take-up, particularly among sex workers, is sparking concern that it could lead to a rise in HIV infections.

Last year, the Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG), which distributes contraceptives on behalf of the government, said 1.2m condoms were procured at a cost of $600,000 (£460,000), and it expects 3m to be sourced this year. The contraceptives are funded through grants from the UN population fund (UNFPA).

But campaigners say the majority of the condoms are left unused, adding that action needs to be taken to promote greater awareness of the benefits or to find new designs.

The findings come as New Vision newspaper reports that Uganda is facing a shortage of 150m male condoms this year.

Source: The Guardian (link opens in a new window)

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Health Care
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public health