September 28, 2015 By Ibrahim Tarawallie
The Sierra Leone Social Marketing and Development Agency (SLaDA) has intensified the promotion of correct and consistent use of condoms among sexually active survivors of the Ebola virus disease and other vulnerable groups.
SLaDA’s Acting Operations Manager, William Freeman, disclosed that between May and September this year they have trained some 150 sexually active Ebola survivors on condom negotiation skills with their partners, as well as the correct and consistent use of both male and female condoms to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections.
He said the trainees, drawn from the four operational districts in Tonkolili, Kambia, Bombali and Koinadugu, are expected to serve as peer educators in championing condom use messages among their colleagues.
According to Freeman, they are putting premium on behavioural change communication to ensure that people who survived the Ebola scourge are introduced to condom use as well as its negotiation skills.
He said the agency’s social marketing drive was geared towards ensuring the availability and accessibility of high quality male and female condoms at affordable cost in order to achieve a better sexual reproductive health in the country.
“Condom must be popularised and accepted by our sexually active population, especially those that have survived the deadly Ebola virus disease. We have also been working with other non-governmental organisations in raising awareness in schools and communities about the use of condom,” he said.
He assured of their commitment and determination to continue sensitising vulnerable groups like commercial sex workers, traders and commercial drivers to be using male or female condoms to protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
Freeman revealed that SLaDA was established two-years ago by Care International as a sustainability plan to continue the social marketing of Protector Plus condoms.
“We remain committed to working with other development partners in promoting a better sexual reproductive health of the people of Sierra Leone. We can boost of 60% market shares of Protector Plus condoms as compared to other condoms being marketed in the country,” he said.