By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
THE National AIDS Council of Zimbabwe (NAC) has reinforced the message of correct and safe condom use, saying a condom is designed for one-time use only.
The message came out strongly during a community dialogue organised by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), on Friday February, 13 in Commemoration of the International Condom Day.
The discussion gained momentum after one woman told the gathering that the female condom is durable and “can be used for more rounds,” prompting Edward Mulaudzi, the National AIDS Council of Zimbabwe (NAC) District AIDS Coordinator, to quickly clarify.
“One condom, one round,” Mulaudzi said, stressing the importance of correct and safe condom use.
The exchange followed a question posed by one of the panelists “Why are female condoms not popular?”
Women who attended the dialogue cited several challenges, particularly lack of convenience and misconceptions about usage.
“The condom is not convenient because it has to be inserted an hour before use so that it adjusts to human body temperature,” one participant said.
Others pointed to limited knowledge and discomfort with the method.
“Some of us do not know how they are used, and they look uncomfortable,” another woman added.
Cultural and religious influences were also raised during the discussion.
“Some churches do not support the use of family planning methods, especially groups like the White Garments,” said another attendee.
Responding to the concerns, Clever Taderera, AHF Prevention Programs Manager, said modern female condoms have improved and no longer require early insertion.
“The condoms being produced now do not require early insertion for body temperature. They can be inserted and used immediately,” Taderera explained.
“It is bygones that they used to take long to adjust to body temperature.”
He said female condoms are now more flexible in use and can also be used by men in certain circumstances, encouraging communities to seek correct information from health professionals.
The dialogue formed part of broader International Condom Day commemorations aimed at promoting correct and consistent condom use to prevent HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned pregnancies in border communities like Beitbridge.