/ 5 October 2004

Sexy scents for Zambia’s well-heeled set

A non-governmental organisation has introduced chocolate, banana, and strawberry-scented condoms, saying they would attract even the most reluctant users in Zambia, state media reported on Monday.

The condoms, intended as a novelty for the rich, who would be able to afford them, were introduced in the mining town of Kitwe in the Copperbelt region by Clyde Robinson of the Society for Family Health.

The Copperbelt was specially targeted for the launch because it has the second highest HIV/Aids infection rate in Zambia, a report in the Zambia Daily Mail said.

Out of a population of 1,6-million people, 16,1% are infected with HIV/Aids.

”The new condoms are a novelty and will be targeted at the rich who can afford to pay for [them],” Robinson said, according to the report.

He quoted statistics showing that 22,1% of people between 15 and 29 years in the Copperbelt region were affected by HIV/AIDS.

The Society for Family Health has been supplying condoms to Zambians since 1992 and to date more than 92 million condoms have been sold.

Robinson believes that more than 59% of the users have successfully been protected against contracting sexually-transmitted infections and HIV/Aids.

Zambia is one of the sub-Saharan countries worst hit by HIV/Aids. – Sapa