CONDOM 101

A CONDOM is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted diseases (STDs—such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV).




MALE CONDOM                                   FEMALE CONDOM



CONDOM MYTHS:

• Condoms don't work very well. [False statement]

If used consistently and correctly, condoms are effective in preventing the transmission of STIs including HIV.

• The male condom can come off and get lost inside. [False statement]

If put on correctly, a male condom is very unlikely to come off. Even if it does, it can be removed with the fingers, it can not 'get lost'.

• Most condoms are too small. [False statement]

The latex used to make condoms is very flexible and can stretch to several times the size of even the biggest penis!

• Using two condoms at the same time offers greater protection. [False statement]

Using two condoms at the same time creates greater friction during sex, which may result in the condoms breaking or slipping off. Only one condom should be used at a time.
 

• The HIV Virus is so small that it can pass through the condom. [False statement]

Tests have shown that neither semen nor HIV can pass through the material used in making condoms.

STEPS IN THE CORRECT APPLICATION OF CONDOMS 

Male Condom

1. Open the package carefully.

• avoid tearing the condom with rings or fingernails.
• check expiry date on the package.

2. Put on the condom when the penis is erect. If uncircumcised, pull the foreskin back before putting on the condom.

3. Squeeze the tip of the condom to leave a little space for the semen during ejaculation. While squeezing the tip of the condom, place the rolled condom at the end of the penis. Put the condom on before any genital contact with partner.

 

4. After ejaculation, hold the rim of the condom tightly against the penis and while it is still erect, take iit out of the vagina.

5. Slide the condom off the penis without spilling the semen inside. Tie a knot at the rim end of the condom.


6. Wrap the condom with a tissue paper and carefully dispose it.

Female Condom

1. Open the female condom package carefully; tear at the notch on the top right of the package. Do not use scissors or a knife to open.


2. The outer ring of the female condom covers the area around the opening of the vagina. The inner ring is used for insertion and to help hold the sheath in place during intercourse.

3. While holding the sheath at the closed end, grasp the flexible inner ring and squeeze it with the thumb and second or middle finger so it becomes long and narrow. 

 4. Choose a position that is comfortable for insertion; squat, raise one leg, sit or lie down.

 5. Gently insert the inner ring of the Female Condom into the vagina. Feel the inner ring go up and move into place.

 

 6. Place, the index finger on the inside of the condom, and push the inner ring up as far as it will go. Be sure the sheath is not twisted. The outer ring should remain on the outside of the vagina.

 7. The female condom is now in place and ready for use with your partner.

 

 8. When you are ready, gently guide your partner's penis into the sheath's opening with your hand to make sure that it enters properly; be sure that the penis is not entering on the side, between the sheath and the vaginal wall.

 

9. To remove the female condom, twist the outer ring and gently pull the condom out.

 10. Wrap the condom in the package or in tissue, and throw it in the garbage. Do not put it into the toilet.

 

Warning - Never use a Male Condom and Female Condom together. The friction caused may cause both condoms to break!

 

Tips on Condom Care

1. Store condoms away from excessive heat, light, and moisture.

2. Choose pre-lubricated condoms that come in wrappers and are packaged in a way that protect them from light.

3. Do not use lubricants made with oil. Most oils damage condoms. Instead use water based lubricants.

4. Do not use condoms with torn or damaged packaging. 

5. Don't use condoms that are expired, brittle, dried out or very sticky.

 

and remember...

BE RESPONSIBLE! PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PARTNER!

 

 

Again this is JaKePositive. BE SAFE! +)

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8504]
AN ACT PROMULGATING POLICIES AND PRESCRIBING
MEASURES FOR THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF HIV/AIDS
IN THE PHILIPPINES, INSTITUTING A NATIONWIDE HIV/AIDS
INFORMATION AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, ESTABLISHING A
COMPREHENSIVE HIV/AIDS MONITORING SYSTEM,
STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL AIDS COUNCIL,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Yesterday I got a text from a client who is still in the process  of retrieving his Confirmatory Result. Apart from that he got shocked because unexpectedly a friend whom he trust just told his friend who is a Doctor about his HIV status thinking that this person could really help out this client of mine.

Well I know that friends and family members are really there to help but this kind of situation is very sensitive. Your friend, trusted you that's why he told you his HIV status. And he expects you to keep it a secret. 

About disclosure, it still depends on the person whenever he is ready to disclose his status. It takes time though and what scares us  is that how will that person react if he knows about your HIV Status. As a friend or family member you should learn how to be sensitive and empathize with that person. But then again Acceptance is a process and you can never tell what their reaction could be. Others were thrown from their homes and left to sleep on the streets, others were threatened and experienced physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual turmoil. And there are also fortunate individuals who were accepted regardless of their HIV Status.

DO WE HAVE A LAW TO PROTECT US?

YES we have an HIV and AIDS Law

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8504

But let me just focus on....

Article VI: Confidentiality

• Section 30: Medical Confidentiality
•  All health professionals, medical instructors, workers, employers, recruitment agencies, insurance companies, data encoders, and other custodians of any  medical records, file, data or  test results to observe strict confidentiality particularly the identity and status of persons with HIV.

• SEC. 33. Penalties for Violation of Confidentiality
• Any violation of medical confidentiality as provided in Sections 30 and Section 32 of this
  Act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment for six (6) months to four (4)
  years, without prejudice to administrative sanctions such as fines and
  suspension or revocation of the violator’s license to practice his/her
  profession, as well as the cancellation or withdrawal of the license to
  operate any business entity and the accreditation of hospitals,
  laboratories and clinics.

• Section 34: Disclosure to Sexual Partners 
•  Any person with HIV is obliged to disclose his/her HIV status and health condition to his/her spouse or sexual partner at the earliest opportune time.

• Penalties

• Misleading information / advertising2 months to 2 years imprisonment
• Knowingly & negligently infecting others in the practice of one’s profession
  6-12 years imprisonment, fines, suspension or revocation of license/accreditation
• Violations on medical confidentiality
  6 months to 4 years imprisonment, fines, suspension or revocation of license/accreditation
• Discriminatory acts & policies
  6 months to 4 years imprisonment, fines of not over P10,000, revocation of license/permits

This year the current Philippine AIDS Law (R.A. 8504) is being amended. It's more inclusive. It aims to protect the rights of people both infected and affected with HIV and  the Commission on Human Rights, Department of Justice, and United Nations has put up a redress mechanism to address discriminatory acts towards PLHIV.

Let me give you a sneak preview on the new amendment.

HOUSE BILL No. 5312

 “The National Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support Policy and Plan Act of 2011”
 
Section 8. Confidentiality.
The State shall guarantee the confidentiality and privacy of
any individual who has been tested for HIV, has been exposed to HIV, has HIV infection or
HIV and AIDS-related illnesses, or has been treated for HIV-related illnesses.

A. Confidential HIV and AIDS information - Unless otherwise provided in Section 8 (C) of this Act, it shall be unlawful to disclose, without written consent, information that a person:
i.  had an HIV-related test;
ii.  has HIV infection, HIV-related illnesses, or AIDS; or
iii. has been exposed to HIV.

The prohibition shall apply to any person, natural or juridical, whose work or
function involves the implementation of this Act or the delivery of HIV-related
services, including those who handle or has access to personal data or information
in the workplace, and who, pursuant to the receipt of the required written consent
from the subject of confidential HIV and AIDS information and has subsequently
been granted access to the same confidential information, shall keep its
confidentiality.

Any media establishment is likewise prohibited from disclosing, without prior written
consent of their subject, any confidential HIV and AIDS information. 

D. Disclosure to sexual partners. - Any person who tested positive for HIV is obliged to
disclose his or her status and health condition to his or her spouse or sexual partner
prior to engaging in penetrative sex or any potential exposure to HIV. A person
living with HIV may opt to ask help from medical professionals, health workers, or
peer educators to disclose to his or her partner about his or her condition.

E. Civil liability. - Any person who has obtained knowledge of confidential HIV and
AIDS information and has used such information to malign or cause damage, injury,
or loss to another person may face liability under Articles 19, 20, 21, and 26 of the
Civil Code. 

Better be aware of this. Know your Rights.













Again this is JaKePositive. BE SAFE! +)