Condom Availability, Accessibility and Affordability Prove Key Pieces of the AIDS Prevention Puzzle
With effective programs providing 650 million condoms annually in 19 developing countries, DKT International plays a major role in preventing HIV/AIDS.
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Seventh International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2013) in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia brought together 4,700 AIDS researchers, scientists, community leaders and others involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. All in attendance heard the message that prevention is crucial to fighting the spread of the disease.
“DKT’s effective use of the Internet and social media to encourage condom use is typified by our successes in many countries, even in highly conservative and traditional societies, promoting contraception to young, upwardly mobile adults who otherwise would be at risk”
In conference opening remarks, Andrew Tan, President of myPlus (Malaysian Positive Network), declared, “Prevention is ultimately the key to reversing this tide that has touched many individuals, families and communities. This is why it is imperative to switch approaches … to a public health perspective. Then we will see the beginning of the end of stigma and discrimination, both key barriersto implementing effective HIV prevention and treatment programs.”
In 2012,DKT Internationalprovided 600 million condoms –enough condoms to circle the globe three times or more than 1.5 million condoms per day, in 19 developing countries. In theseDKTprograms, condoms are made widely available and easily affordable, their use is encouraged through social marketing on the Internet, in concerts, on outdoor billboards and at festivals –any channel that reaches condom users.
DKT’s2012 sale and distribution of condoms and other contraceptives provided 25 million couple years of protection (CYP, the amount of contraceptive/safe sex protection needed for one couple over one year) at a remarkably low cost of $2.00 per couple.“
We offer differently priced brands within the same product category to maximize both health impact and cost-recovery for people who want and place value on protection against sexually transmitted infections,” saidChristopher H. Purdy, Executive Vice President ofDKT International. “We have learned that condoms will be used when they are available, accessible and affordable, but it’s important to charge something. When consumers pay a reasonable price for something they want, there is a higher probability they will value and use it. And even a small price prevents wastage.”
Two examples illustrateDKT’ssuccess at encouraging condom useto combat HIV/AIDS:
- DKT Ethiopiabegan operations in 1990 with the introduction ofHiwotTrust condoms. The program now supplies 80% of the country’s condoms as well as other reproductive health products, priced for various levels of affordability.DKTalso taps local entrepreneurial talent through a Young Marketers (YM) Initiative that includes nearly 200 anti-AIDS clubs that sell the organization’s condoms, and operates one of Africa’s largest HIV-
prevention programs targeting sex workers and distributing condoms through the military.DKT Ethiopiasold more than 65 million condoms in 2012. - WhenDKT Brazilbegan in 1991, the total male condom market in Brazil was less than 50 million pieces annually. Now the commercial condom market is 10 times larger, asDKTprovides affordable condoms to low-income customers and also supports local nongovernmental organizations in Brazil with information about AIDS/HIV prevention.DKT Brazil’sCondom Tester Program website gives young adult users a platform to comment on condom use and tag their location via GPS to show where they have recently used a condom. Its 2012 Condom Tester contest sparked more than 100,000 website visits from around the world. Last year DKT sold 130 million condoms in Brazil.
“DKT’seffective use of the Internet and social media to encourage condom use is typified by our successes in many countries, even in highly conservative and traditional societies, promoting contraception to young, upwardly mobile adults who otherwise would be at risk,” Purdy added. “WhenThe 2013 United States Conference on AIDS (USCA)meets September 8-11, 2013 in New Orleans, we will continue to emphasize this message of how positive prevention strategies that encourage condom use are a major weapon in the fight against HIV/AIDS.”www.dktinternational.org
Contacts
For DKT International
Suzy Ginsburg, 713-721-4774