The government plans to buy more large-sized condoms to cater for the growing needs of Thai men under the age of 30.
Pornthep Siriwanarangsun,director-general of the Disease Prevention and Control Department,said yesterday that the Ministry of Public Health is looking to buy more condoms with a circumference of 54mm to satisfy the needs of younger users.
"More Thai men are now over 170cm tall and exceed 70kg in weight. They can no longer use condoms with sizes of 49mm and 52mm," Dr Pornthep said.
"Small condoms make them feel uncomfortable and eventually they won't use them."
He said about 43,000 people were likely to become infected with HIV/Aids between 2012 and 2016.
Encouraging people to use condoms would help reduce the rate of HIV/Aids infection, the directorgeneral said.
The Public Health Ministry will also encourage people who are at high risk of catching HIV/Aids to have blood tests.
Those found to be infected will be promptly treated to prevent the spread of infection, he said.
About 230 million condoms are sold nationwide each year but the ministry and the National Health Security Office can provide only 40 million condoms annually.
The campaign needs more support from the public and private sectors, he said.
"The amount of money needed to finance this campaign is actually very little.
"A person who is infected may have to spend money getting treatment for the rest of his or her life,"Dr Pornthep said.
"The government also has to spend more money providing this treatment."
Source: Bangkok Post July 13, 2013
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