A shortage of condoms in Botswana is raising fears about the impact on HIV prevention programs.
The southern African nation has the world's fourth-highest HIV prevalence, with more than 350,000 adults and children living with HIV according to the Joint United Nations Program (UNAIDS). But with the help of many NGO’s prevention programs, Botswana was able to have 95% of its positive cases on an anti-retroviral treatment.
Now the current irregular supply of condoms could reverse the progress the country made.
Botswana receives most condom supplies from Malaysia, but manufacturing has been impacted by COVID-19 travel restrictions and lockdowns. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) delivered nearly 1.3 million in December, which have been distributed throughout the country, with a total of 18 million pledged.
Botswanan HIV activist Bono Segadimo said "As much as we try to do whatever it takes to fight HIV, most of what we tell people is to use protection…but it happens that it’s not enough. We will have issues of re-infections, new infections due to unprotected sex.” The shortages mean public education on HIV prevention has to be re-doubled, she added.
Tosh Beka, director of sex workers organization Sisikonke, said the shortage impacts other sexual health programs. “This challenge does not only affect HIV programs and management, but also, sexual reproductive health rights. And, it has serious consequences, such as unplanned pregnancies and sexual transmitted infections.”