Most people know that condoms prevent the spread of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Unusual campaigns to promote condom use are being launched in places where condoms are less popular. But in many parts of the world, condoms aren’t very popular. Here are five novel campaigns launched by nonprofit organizations and condom companies to encourage wider use.
1. A ring tone to remember:
In India, people stigmatize condoms and refuse to wear them because they believe only prostitutes must use prophylactics. Leave it to one of the world’s richest men to find a solution — the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation donated money for a national condom ring tone.
2. Perks you right up:
Ethiopians claim they hate condoms because the smell of latex sickens them. To combat the odor, DKT International, a United Sates nonprofit, created coffee condoms. These dark brown condoms allegedly (I’m not testing the products) taste and smell like the favorite coffee of Ethiopia — the macchiato, an espresso with cream and sugar.
3. Condom trees:
In western Australia, the rate of HIV infection is the highest in the nation. When public health nurses were looking for an effective way to distribute condoms, someone suggested trees. Young people in the countryside hang out under trees, so the shady spots are the perfect places for nurses to hang condom-filled canisters.
4. Scare tactics:
Perhaps some safe sex programs skirt the issue — unprotected sex causes HIV, which leads to AIDS and often death. The Tulipan Company launched its “Be Careful” ads in Argentina. Showing skeletons positioned in flagrante delicto, these ads make no bones about how important it is to wear a condom while engaging in coitus.
5. Spray-on protection:
Since his teens, Jan Vinzenz Krause struggled to find a condom that fit correctly. He thought the pursuit of the perfect prophylactic was hopeless — until he went to the carwash. Inspired by the spray-on soap and wax, the German Krause developed a spray-on latex condom, which he claims always fits perfectly and feels natural.
For the full article, please refer to http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/10/31/mf.safe.sex/index.html?iref=newssearch
