• STIs on the prowl as prices of condom, others jump
By Doris Obinna
Medical practitioners and other stakeholders are apprehensive as prices of medicines and other medical consumables climb up daily. Condom was particularly singled out in the upsurge of price.
Health enthusiasts and users of this commodity raised concerns over the increasing cost of condoms, fearing it would lead to unsafe sex and unintended pregnancies among citizens.
Condoms market analysists disclosed that Nigeria condom market size 2024, the Nigerian condom market surged to $X in 2022, with an increase of X per cent against the previous year.
“This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price).
“In general, consumption posted significant growth. Condom consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.”
According to World health Organisation (WHO), condoms, when used correctly and consistently, are safe and highly effective in preventing transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and unplanned pregnancies. Condoms are safe, inexpensive and widely available.
Considering the economic realities in the country, couples who opted for the method of condom as family planning, men, who patronise commercial sex workers as well as those with side chicks have raised concerned in the high cost of condom.
Findings reveal that there are different types and brands of condoms, and the best are often determined by their durability, level of comfort, quality, and protection they offer.
Stop at some pharmaceutical stores revealed that prices of condoms had increased by 200 per cent when compared to their prices few months back.
Some condom brands include: Durex is sold for N6000; Fiesta N2500, Kiss N12,500, Fire N3,4500, Rough Rider and Gold Circle, among others.
With the increase in the prices of the commodity, it could lead to low demand and force many people into unsafe sex, which could increase sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and a boom in unplanned pregnancies.
Speaking, Chief Medical Director, God’s Goal Hospital, Dr Gabriel Omonaiye, yes, the condoms are also affected by the spiraling inflation.
The risks according to him include more unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitter diseases/ infections including HIV.
“I even read of some people reusing the condoms (again). These are issues of serious concern. However, there are centers where free condoms are available. The government had an initiative through which condoms were given to private hospitals be given free to clients who need them.
“Awareness of the initiative should be created. More non-governmental agencies (NGOs) should rise up to the occasion by making free condoms available.”
Facts on condoms
According to WHO, condoms have had a significant impact on the global AIDS pandemic: model simulations show that increased condom use since 1990 has averted an estimated 117 million new HIV infections.
WHO disclosed that in 2020, 374 million new STI infections occurred globally among adults aged 15–49 with one of the four curable STIs: syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis.
The majority of these could be prevented with the correct use of condoms.
“Ninety-eight per cent of women whose male partners use male condoms correctly in every sex act over one year will be protected from unplanned pregnancy; when female condoms are used, 95 per cent of them will be protected against unplanned pregnancy. In addition, over 300 million unplanned pregnancies are estimated to be prevented each year.
“Research from WHO, Human Reproductive Programme (HRP) and partners from February 2022 indicates that interventions that use a positive language about sex, including sexual pleasure, are effective in increasing condom use.
“Non-judgmental, person-centred information should be provided to support condom use. Gender inequities, especially in intimate relationships are a major barrier for condom use and should be addressed.”
Increase in unwanted pregnancies, STIs
Medical experts, say the increase in condoms may increase Nigeria’s already high rate of unwanted pregnancies and the spread of infectious diseases like STIs, especially HIV.
Omonaiye reiterated that reusing of condoms is also there and are issues of serious health concern as this is not safe for both partners.
“Sex workers have been advised to insist on the use of condoms with their clients irrespective of the price increase. Aside unplanned pregnancies and spread of STIs, the development may lead to a scarcity of the consumable.”
UNFPA, WHO and UNAIDS position
UNFPA, WHO and UNAIDS position statement stated that condoms are a critical component in a comprehensive and sustainable approach to the prevention of HIV and other STIs and are effective for preventing unintended pregnancies.
It further disclosed: “In 2013, an estimated 2.1 million people became newly infected with HIV and an estimated 500 million people acquired chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis or trichomoniasis.
“In addition, every year more than 200 million women have unmet needs for contraception, leading to approximately 80 million unintended pregnancies. These three public health priorities require a decisive response using all available tools, with condoms playing a central role.
“Condoms have helped to reduce HIV transmission and curtailed the broader spread of HIV in settings where the epidemic is concentrated in specific populations. Distribution of condoms has been shown to reduce rates of HIV and other STIs in sex workers and men who have sex with men.”
Exit of foreign pharmaceutical companies
Omonaiye said: “The exit of foreign pharmaceutical companies is temporarily bad, because of lack of the capacity of the local ones to step in and fill the vacuum. The products of the companies are scarce and expensive. These products are very lifesavers.
“We need to develop the capacity as a country to feed ourselves and also be self sufficient in drugs production. The government should make the environment friendly for business and investment.”
Implications of upsurge in medical consumables
“The implications of the upsurge in the costs of medicines and other medical consumables are many. Let me chip in that the costs of retaining and hiring health workers have gone up, due to the galloping inflation. This has taken a huge toll on private medical hospitals, which offer about 75 per cent of the health care delivery in Nigeria.
“The cost of power (from the power companies and generating sets) has gone up astronomically. So all these have affected the sick significantly. Generally, more and more are finding it difficult to access quality medicare. People are daily resorting to self-medications, patronising quacks, using herbs and other alternative methods whose effectiveness is questionable. Of course, more avoidable deaths would ensue.
“Also, the stress of survival is becoming more serious by the day. To hospital owners, it is really nightmarish, the prices of almost all medicines, surgical materials, laboratory chemicals, equipment have gone unbelievably high, no thanks to fall in the value of the naira compared with dollars and the exit of some big pharmaceutical companies from Nigeria,” he said.