Houses occupied by sex workers were visited to distribute the condoms. Ms Trudy Xhala Mavimbela, Transversal Manager in the office of the Executive Mayor; Mr Linda Mahlangu, Department of Health and Social Services and Mr Don Makofane Local Aids Council (LAC) advisor under the German Development Corporation (GIZ) distributed the condoms under the theme: ‘My responsibility, my choice, and our future’.
The key message was ‘Correct and consistent condom usage prevents HIV, STI and unplanned pregnancy. Let us build a future without HIV.’
The government of South Africa has initiated a condom distribution programme. Public Sector Distribution is an initiative between Society Family Health (SFH) and the National Department of Health (NDOH). This close partnership is designed to ensure the successful distribution and accessibility of the NDOH’s Choice condom brand to achieve a positive health impact.
SFH assists the NDOH and its provincial sexually transmitted infections (STI) coordinators to improve the quality of its distribution by building the capacity of local non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Distribution takes place primarily, but not entirely, in high transmission areas. These key areas are targeted because of the increased likelihood of high-risk sexual behaviours and activities including transactional sex, multiple concurrent partnerships, sex acts occurring under the influence of alcohol and other conditions that increase the likelihood of STI transmission.
The key strategic objectives are to ensure availability and, more importantly, accessibility to consumers without embarrassment. Hence careful consideration is taken by the distribution teams when negotiating prime shelf space.
