Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision (Kampala) - December 16, 2005
Carol Natukunda, Kampala
"The condom testing machine has been purchased and it is now at the airport. We want to ensure that the condoms are worth using," Madraa said at the joint annual AIDS review at Kabira Country Club in Kampala.
Madraa said the Engabu condoms, which had been withdrawn, were awaiting destruction at the cost of the manufacturer.
She asked the media to help in restoring trust in the condom as a product and Engabu as a brand.
Her remarks followed concerns raised by the director of the Uganda AIDS Commission, Dr. kihumuro Apuuli, that there was need for a policy on the quality of condoms in order to curb the HIV infection rates.
"The epidemic is getting on top of us and we are not likely to succeed because we are focusing on when and where the infection is occurring. It may be hard to test abstinence or being faithful. We can surely put a policy on testing the quality of condoms," Apuuli said.
He said the rate of discordance (a situation when one partner is HIV negative and the other is positive) was at 50%.
Straight Talk's Cathy Watson said the high rate of infection is higher in the older age group, compared to the youth.
"Married people are much less comfortable addressing infidelity or even testing. Some think once they are in marriage, there is no need for testing at all," Watson said.
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