World Condom Day

A man takes out a condom from his pocket. [iStockphoto]

World Condom Day, observed annually on February 13, precedes the romantic celebrations of Valentine's Day. The primary aim of this day is to raise awareness about the significance of practicing safe sex through the use of protection.

In 1987, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a US-based non-profit organization, inaugurated World Condom Day in response to the prevailing HIV/AIDS crisis.

The strategic scheduling just before Valentine's Day serves to emphasize the importance of safe sex practices as individuals prepare to engage in romantic encounters.

Utilizing condoms serves as a crucial means of safeguarding against unintended pregnancies, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), and HIV.

Kenya has made substantial strides in reducing the transmission rate of HIV. The 2023 World AIDS Day report indicates a notable decrease in AIDS-related deaths from 58,446 in 2013 to 18,743 in 2022. However, the report highlights that individuals aged 15-34 constituted the highest percentage (75%) of new infections in 2022, with sexual transmission being a prevalent mode.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over one million cases of STIs are reported daily. These statistics underscore a concerning level of ignorance regarding safe sex practices through condom use.

World Condom Day was established to advocate for the use of condoms, recognizing them as the most affordable and effective mode of protection. This observance also promotes open dialogue within communities, aiming to dispel stigmas associated with protected sex.

Individuals must make informed decisions that positively impact their sexual health. Societal taboos have often hindered sexual health education, and it is time to address this as a public concern.

In conclusion, stay safe and remember to practice safe sex-wrap it up!