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Argentina To Provide Free Condoms To Curb STDs

by VR Sreeraman on Jan 5 2013 10:28 AM

 Argentina To Provide Free Condoms To Curb STDs
Argentina plans to launch nationwide free condom campaign in 2013 to tackle sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
Around 82 million condoms will be handed out at health centers, schools, prisons, bars and nightclubs, as well as through a network of nearly 3,000 fixed spots at public agencies.

The free distribution of condoms -- and of 17 million lubricating gels -- aims to "ensure access to preventative methods against sexually transmitted diseases," the ministry said in a statement.

Lubrication helps prevent condoms from tearing and helps avoid abrasions, which could lead to contaminated blood infecting the partner.

In Argentina, about 5,500 people are newly diagnosed with HIV each year, and "90 percent of new infections come from sex without using condoms," it added.

However, the agency noted that the number of new HIV infections has dropped by more than 30 percent since 2004, and the infection rate in 2010 stood at 11.7 cases per 100,000, down from 17.3 per 100,000.

Argentina has a population of 40 million people, 30 million of whom are over 15 years old.

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Source-AFP


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