The National HIV/AIDS Secretariat (NAS) in collaboration with the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) on Friday, held a one-day validation of the National Strategic Plan for Comprehensive Condom Programming (NSPCCP) at the Presidential Lounge of the National Stadium.
The NSPCCP document was first adopted in 2009 and the Consultant was a Senegalese, who worked with a team of local counterparts.
The document was reviewed, following a request by NAS and it was undertaken during the period 13th September – 9th October 2012.
The review process included interviews and data collection from key stakeholders, collection of more recently available information from HIV Behavioral Sentinel Surveillance (BSS) Survey and other relevant sources. Interviews were also conducted with a cross-section of male and female clients.
NAS Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Coordinator Abu Bakarr Koroma said that there was a need for the document to be reviewed because of changes of opinion from different people.
He said that they reviewed the document to guide the process in terms of condom distribution.
Representative from UNFPA Nyaibor Ngombu said that UNFPA has been championing condom use in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and NAS.
She said that globally UNFPA is the lead provider of both the male and female condom.
In his presentation, the Local Consultant, Professor George Gage said that the document deserves changes, as there are changes which needs to be incorporated in the document.
Professor Gage said that the findings of the situation anaylsis conducted between the period 13th September and 9th October 2012, showed the need for intensification of activities in the areas of inclusion of opinion leaders, especially religious leaders; IEC / BCC should be specially tailored to remove misconception on female condom and also on “free” condom distribution; improved condom negotiation skills.
He further said that there is a need for increased outlets for condoms, specially female condoms in rural areas; NAS to play a greater role in the development and dissemination of IEC\BCC messages; increased male involvement in Prevention of Mother-To- Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme; increased knowledge on the benefits of condom use during pregnancy main target groups should be pregnant women and health care workers.
On training, Professor Gage stated that there is need for continuous training of health staff as this is essential; display and demonstration of female condom should be regularly done in training and other sessions; training on accurate forecasting of condom needs and supplies, including the different types in use countrywide.
On procurement, storage and distribution, he said that procurement should be based on more accurate forecasting of the use and demand of the various types popular in the country (ProctectorPlus, Coloured, Flavoured).
He said there is a need for more outlets required for distribution not to be limited to sub recipient; improved coordination of distribution; distribution of free condoms, as this undermines social marketing of condoms, adding that there is need to work out an improved distribution system.
On monitoring and evaluation, Professor Gage reiterated that there is need to strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation to improve current under reporting of use and stock outs; training staff to use reporting tools.
The Local Consultant stated that integration in reproductive health and other services, is currently weak and needs to be strengthened.
He said that these issues, if already incorporated in the 2010-2014 Strategic Plan, have been highlighted and those which were found missing in the Strategic Plan, were included following a consensus of stakeholders. The revised document, he said, now constituents a Condom Programming Rolling Plan.
Chairman of the occasion, Matron Hassanatu Kanu said that it is difficult to assess the usage of condom, but the distribution can be assessed.
She said that there is a need to clear the myths and misconception surrounding condom use, adding that apart from that, the female condom is more cumbersome to use and is more expensive than the male condom. Matron Kanu stated that the use of male and female condoms during pregnancy is vital.
By Abibatu Kamara
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