By Marie N. Carnu
Young Cameroonians have expressed reluctance to use condoms during sex, saying it limits sexual pleasure and causes discomfort.
Although condoms are essential for preventing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), misconceptions have led to a decrease in their use among young people, leading to an increase in unintended pregnancies and STDs such as HIV.
On the streets of Yaoundé, MMI gathered the views of some young residents who shared their views on condom use.
“I have used condoms before, but they are uncomfortable and I sometimes get hurt. I prefer the withdrawal method with my partner, which has not caused me any problems so far,” said a young woman who preferred to remain anonymous.
This response reflects a growing trend to neglect condom use in favor of alternative contraceptive methods, without regard to the risk of STDs.
A 2022 study observed that a sharp decline in condom use among young people in Cameroon has led to an increase in unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS infections.
Condoms, thin latex shields designed to prevent direct body contact during sex, play a crucial role in preventing STDs and unwanted pregnancies.
However, many young people in Cameroon lack knowledge or have misconceptions about their proper use.
Fifty percent of young people surveyed in the 2022 study cited above had misconceptions about condom use, 30 percent were completely unaware of them, and only 10 percent fully understood their importance.
Many people mistakenly view condoms only as a means of preventing pregnancy, ignoring their role in preventing diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea and HIV/AIDS.
“I only use condoms when I am in my fertile period to avoid pregnancy,” said one woman in her 20s, highlighting a lack of understanding of the broader health benefits.
Some young people even admit to never having used condoms.
One young woman said: “I've never used them and I don't even know how they work,” adding that she relies on family planning and medical checkups.
Many others also choose the birth control pill or other contraceptive methods, often neglecting the importance of disease prevention.
Discomfort and decreased pleasure are common reasons why many people avoid condoms.
“I have only used condoms three times since I have been sexually active. They are irritating and reduce pleasure, so my partner and I use the pull-out method,” said one young man.
Not enough education in schools
A secondary school teacher in Yaounde told this reporter that the lack of sex education in schools contributes to misconceptions about condom use.
“I have taught in two schools since last year, and neither has organized sex education classes for students,” he said.
“There is simply not enough education about condoms in our schools.”
This decline in condom use has also had an impact on sales. Several pharmacy owners report a drop in purchases, with most buyers being adults.
Women are less likely to buy condoms, and those who do tend to buy them for one-night stands.
“A woman bought condoms for a one-night stand, saying she needed them in case her partner didn’t have any,” one salesperson recalls.
Cost is also a barrier. Some young people think that good quality condoms are too expensive, while cheaper ones tend to break.
Drug sellers, however, claim that condoms are made to similar standards but marketed differently. “It's a marketing issue; every brand wants to make money,” one seller noted.
In rural areas, awareness of condom use is even lower. A nurse in Obala, a district in Cameroon’s Central Region, observed: “We see a lot of teenage mothers aged 12 to 15, which shows a serious lack of sex education.”
In Akonolinga, a nurse said: “We have had young people aged 15 to 18 who have arrived with HIV/AIDS. There is a lack of awareness in schools.”
Lack of parental education
Parents are also reluctant to discuss condoms with their children.
“I find it inappropriate to lecture my children on condom use. It’s like giving them permission to have sex,” one parent said. Another added: “In the past, students were taught sex education and given condoms, but that’s not the case anymore.”
A nursing student from Yaoundé shared a contrasting experience: “At school, they give us lessons on condom use, and they give us some for free, but I don’t use them.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently expressed concern about the global decline in condom use among adolescents. Surveys of 15-year-olds in 42 countries between 2014 and 2022 found that adolescents from disadvantaged backgrounds were less likely to use condoms, a trend also observed in rural Cameroon, where unintended pregnancies are common due to limited access to contraceptives.
Research published in the Health Sciences and Disease Journal (2018-2022) found that adolescents attending youth centers were more likely to use condoms than their peers in secondary schools.
This situation highlights the lack of sex education in many schools and underlines the importance of raising awareness among young people, especially in rural areas. In the face of increasing cases of HIV/AIDS, there is an urgent need to rethink sexual health education and the promotion of condom use among young Cameroonians.
©Mimi Mefo Info
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings