20 Aug 2017

The chief health education technician at Scottish Livingstone Hospital in Molepolole, Mr Peace Oagile has expressed disappointment at the low usage of female condoms.

Mr Oagile said in an interview that although government was doing its best to educate and distribute the condoms, interest by the public was unsatisfactory.

He said in his area, the District Health Management Team (DHMT), which dealt with condom distribution and education had been working to take the condom to the communities, yet there was still low uptake of it.

“The demand for the condom is low and that shows its usage is low as well,” he said.

Mr Oagile indicated that they realised that some did not know about the female condom altogether while others had a negative perspective towards it.

He said there was need to raise awareness through demonstration in order to clear perceptions and DHMT was working on activities to promote and educate people about the female condom.

He said they also used forums such as kgotla meetings where health education assistants educated the public.  Mr Oagile expressed disappointment at the misuse of the female condom as some detached the rings and used them as bracelets.

He acknowledged the efforts by non-government organisations such as Tebelopele and Humana People-to-People for their effort in educating the nation about the condoms as they had accelerated social mobilisation programmes on the use of both the male and female condoms. ENDS