AHF-Laos aims HIV in bid to reduce infection

Even though Laos has a low HIV prevalence, some groups of people are still at higher risk of contracting the virus.
HIV/AIDS spreads when infected blood or body fluids (such as semen or vaginal fluids) enter the body, which can happen during sex, sharing needles for injecting drugs, or tattooing.
To raise awareness of the need for safe sex, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Lao marked International Condom Day with an event themed “Safer is Sexy”.

(From left) Mr Phanthamit Sengpanya, Mr Thongphim Vonglapha, and Dr Phouthone Southalack address the event on Monday.

“There is an emoji for nearly everything, except for safer sex so let’s change that on International Condom Day with the “Rise of the Condom Emoji” campaign, said a representative of AHF-Laos.
The event took place in Vientiane on Monday and was attended by officials from the Lao Federation of Trade Unions, among others.
It was chaired by the Director of the Centre of HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (CHAS), Dr Phouthone Southalack; Director of the Inspection Department of the Lao Federation of Trade Unions, Mr Thongphim Vonglapha  and Director of the Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Mr Phanthamit Sengpanya.
An AIDS Healthcare Foundation booth displayed International Condom Day posters and advertised free HIV testing and free condoms, along with brochures, flyers, and other items.
There were also activities to promote safer sex such as an explanation of the correct way to use a condom, quizzes with prizes, and other games.
Participants were able to pick up some free condoms, find out their HIV status and get information about condom use and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.
The message was that it’s time to drop the stigma around condoms and make it easier to communicate about having safer sex. Introducing a condom emoji across all digital platforms would be a fun and creative way to do that.
“The availability of condoms does not equate to the promotion of sexual practices. Instead, for those who are already having sex, especially young adults, we encourage them to protect themselves and feel confident when talking about condoms with their partner,” said Country Program Manager, AHF-Laos, Mrs Chintana Somkhane.
From eggplants and peaches to bananas and tacos, and everything in between, emojis have become commonplace in sexual texting (sexting) conversations.
The world is ready for a condom emoji, which is also evident by some troubling statistics. An estimated 1 million people worldwide acquire a sexually transmitted infection every day, and there are still 1.5 million new HIV transmissions annually around the globe, according to AHF-Laos.
There’s no better time than International Condom Day to turn the condom emoji into a reality. In addition to the emoji campaign, AHF country teams are hosting exciting and informative “Safer is Sexy”
International Condom Day festivities are always fun and a great way to remind the world that condoms remain the most cost-effective method for preventing sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
In Laos, AHF-Laos advocates for condom access in Vientiane Capital together with Lao government partners and civil society by providing free condoms, free HIV testing, and distributing printed educational materials related to HIV/AIDS and condom use for safer sexual practices in the general population especially young people.
“We must speak the language that reaches young people who are most at risk,” said AHF Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy, Terri Ford.
Additionally, like with Covid-19 vaccines, the pandemic continues to create even more barriers to condom access for millions of people globally.
Governments and public health institutions must make access to free or affordable condoms a top priority since they’re the most affordable way to prevent HIV, other sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned pregnancies.
Dr Phouthone Southalack told Vientiane Times “People who want to check their HIV status can get free HIV testing. Those who are already infected can receive treatment at hospitals in Vientiane and the provinces. These facilities offer friendly services with confidentiality.”
Director of the National Centre of HIV/AIDS and STI, Dr Phouthone Southalack, said: “It is still challenging to encourage people at risk of HIV or living with the virus to access health services.”
In the first nine months of 2021, 1,089 people were living with HIV, at least 216 were living with AIDS, and about 100 people died of AIDS. Over half of the people living with HIV are in Vientiane.
From 1990 to the end of September 2019, 11,172 Lao people were living with HIV. More than 5,600 people were living with AIDS and 100 people died of AIDS.
In addition to the 1.7 million new infections recorded worldwide in 2018, more than 74 million people were living with HIV, and 23 million people had received antiretroviral therapy.
Authorities plan to eliminate HIV/AIDS in Laos by 2030 and are continuing efforts to provide treatment to people living with HIV.
They aim to stop the disease from spreading to others by upgrading awareness and expanding prevention activities to target areas.
By 2025, 95 percent of the people living with HIV should know their HIV status, 95 percent of people who are diagnosed with HIV receive antiretroviral therapy, and 95 percent of people receiving antiretroviral therapy have viral load suppression.

(Latest Update February 17, 2022)