Brazil to distribute 59 million condoms during carnival
Brazil, the biggest state buyer of condoms in the world, is to distribute 59 million free condoms during its famous Brazil Carnival later this month to combat the spread of AIDS, Brazil Health Minister, Jose Temporao told the press on Friday.
The sheaths are to be handed out during the extravagant parades featuring bare-breasted models and stirring drums, and in the innumerable street parties that will take place across the country between February 19 and 25.
Church officials in Brazil, home to the world’s largest Roman Catholic population, have opposed the condom program. Catholic Church preaches sexual abstinence over condom use. but In a dig at churches, Temporao said: “The churches pray. And we are working to reduce the number of cases of illness.”
Also Friday, Brazil Health Ministry hosted a “Mature Woman’s Block Party” in Rio de Janeiro to highlight its latest target demographic: women over the age of 50, about 70 percent of whom do not use condoms, according to the ministry.
Health officials said AIDS cases have tripled among that group in the last decade, from 3.7 cases per 100,000 people to 11.6.
“We senior citizens are still sexually active nowadays, so these types of campaigns are very important,” said Ana Leila Goncalves, a 62-year-old grandmother who took part in the event.
Earlier this month, the health ministry reported it would spend $500,000 this year on 15 million small packets of personal lubricant, which it said helps keep condoms from breaking.