Nigerians use 190m condoms in one year

Ayodele Adesanmi, Abuja - 01.02.2008

Society for Family Health (SFH) stated in Abuja on Thursday that over 190 million condoms were sold in 2007 with a projection of over 200 million in 2008.

The Gold Circle condom brand is one of the strategies adopted by the organisation to prevent unwanted pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) especially HIV/AIDS.

SFH, a Non-Governmental Organisation, was established to empower Nigerians, particularly the poor and vulnerable, to lead healthier lives through essential health information services and products.
The General Manager, Sales and Distribution, Mr. Damola Ogunbowale, made this known at the 2007 annual wholesales’ conference.

He said the figures were far above the sales target of 170 million condoms for the year. Ogunbowale, who gave the performance review for the year, informed that 10,000 female condoms were sold in 2007, which he said indicated that women had not conditioned themselves to the use of the condoms.

In 2006, he disclosed that products distributed by SFH prevented over one million unwanted pregnancies and over 2,000 maternal deaths.

The Managing Director of SFH, Mr. Bright Ekeremadu, stated that the agency was a key national partner in the Nigerian government-coordinated national response to HIV/ AIDS.

He, however, said that they were ready to partner with other organisations and improve reproductive health in Nigeria.