BRAZIL: Brazil expands its model anti-AIDS programme through the distribution of 20 million female condoms.

Record ID: 402409

  • Title: BRAZIL: Brazil expands its model anti-AIDS programme through the distribution of 20 million female condoms.
  • Date: 19th July 2012
  • Summary: BRASILIA, BRAZIL (JULY 18, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXTERIORS OF BRAZIL'S HEALTH MINISTRY
  • Embargoed: 3rd August 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Health
  • Reuters ID: LVAEYHTM8YK8XSCR3EUCNB2BWZXV
  • Story Text: Brazil announced on Wednesday (July 18) the distribution of 20 million free female condoms to step up its anti-AIDS programme that has been touted as a model for other countries.
    The goal is to deliver 25 percent more female condoms than in previous years to give women more power to use protection regardless of their partners.
    According to the health ministry, the programme will focus on prostitutes, prisoners, drug addicts and women infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
    The report by the United Nations AIDS program released on Wednesday said fewer people infected with HIV globally were dying as more of them were getting access to crucial antiretroviral drugs.
    The condoms will also be made available for women whose husbands refuse to wear protection.
    When the HIV epidemic first began spreading across the globe in the 1980's, Brazil was one of the worst hit countries. Now, 30 years on, it has slowed the epidemic and become an example for other nations.
    The head of Brazil's AIDS department, Dirceu Greco, said the programme will give women the power to decide for themselves.
    "Our plans to increase the purchase (of female condoms) already existed in order to facilitate the lives of women and give them the possibility of making a decision to wear condoms themselves. Obviously the male condoms are a shared responsibility, but in situations of greater vulnerability, it is preferable that women also have the possibility in certain situations to act without the need of direct participation of the male partner," he said.
    The distribution of female condoms started in 1997 and since then Brazil handed out some 16 million to women around the country.
    The condoms will be distributed by public health clinics around the country to women registered in the programme.
    Georgiana Silveira, who runs a public health centre in capital Brasilia, said the female condoms were being well-received by the clinic's patients.
    "Male condoms continue to be favourites in the community because they are easier to handle and use and people are more used to them. But women are searching more and more for female condoms and those who already use them adapt very well and are constantly coming back for more," she said.
    According to a government report published in November, 608,230 Brazilians have been infected by the HIV virus since 1980.
    The report also reveals that about 6 percent of drug users, 10 percent of gays and 6 percent of the country's prostitutes have AIDS.
    Maria Denise Deda, a nurse who works at the clinic, said the programme was almost a revolution for women.
    "I think this increase in the distribution of female condoms is almost a revolution because of the independence this brings to women, making them feel safer to be able to make this choice to protect themselves and wear the female condom," she said.
    Marlene Reis, a 55-year-old secretary, said her daughter adapted well to the female condoms.
    "I think the distribution of female condoms is very important to help protect women. My daughter uses it to protect herself from pregnancy and diseases," she said.
    Mechanic Jose Egito said the female condoms would also help share responsibility between the couple.
    "The distribution of female condoms is important because it helps divide the responsibility between the two partners," he said.
    In 1994, the Brazilian government urged local firms to start manufacturing AIDS drugs and now it makes many of the antiretroviral drugs used in the 'cocktails'. The prices on those drugs have plummeted more than 70 percent.
    A typical treatment now costs about $4,500 dollars in Brazil, compared to about $20,000 in the United States.
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