Project Mampisaina: HIV/AIDs and STIs Education - Condom distribution points

Posted on 22 January 2010

One of Azafady’s major projects over the last year, and for the coming year, is Project Mampisaina which aims to educate young people across the urban commune of Fort Dauphin in order to increase awareness about, and to prevent increasing levels of, STI’s and HIV/AIDs, and is funded by the National Lottery’s Big Lottery Fund. To keep you informed here’s the first in a series of updates from Project Mampisaina’s first year….

For women in Madagascar, buying condoms can sometimes be an unnerving experience and, unfortunately, one that is often simply avoided, a frightening thought when you consider that Madagascar has one of the highest rates of STIs in the world and HIV/AIDS cases on the increase every year. Project Mampisaina spoke to local women within the Fort Dauphin commune and found that many women are hesitant to buy condoms for many reasons from fear of gossip to not wanting to buy them at the same time as their groceries or ask someone to reach for them in a shop.

To help fix this problem, Mampisaina suggested setting up informal distribution points where women could pick up condoms- at a discounted rate, thanks to Population Services International- while going about their daily business. Locations such as water points, coffee shops or places where women go to wash clothes were suggested and so far, twenty-three sites have been chosen. Local staff will be trained in how to manage the stock and complete monthly accounts for the number of condoms sold, each site has been given two boxes and sales will be evaluated over the next six months.

It’s an exciting development and if successful, will take away the stresses women feel when buying condoms and help communities take control of their own sexual health and help stem the spread of infections throughout Madagascar.