AIDS creates additional role for condoms
AIDS creates additional role for condoms
By T. Sima Gunawan
JAKARTA (JP): The first condoms were made centuries ago from animal intestines. Today, most condoms are latex, but some are still made of processed collagenous tissues from the intestinal cecum of lambs.
Penis coverings have been used for at least seven centuries to prevent pregnancy and infection, or as decoration. A sheath worn over the penis can be traced back as far back as 1350 B.C. when Egyptian men wore decorative penis covers, according to Contraceptive Technology. Indigenous people in Irian Jaya also wear a penile sheath called koteka for decoration.
In 1564 A.D. an Italian anatomist described the use of linen sheaths to prevent the spread of venereal disease. Later, the use of sheaths made from animal intestines was introduced. In the 18th century, the sheaths were called "condoms" and gained popularity as a means of protection from venereal diseases and to prevent pregnancy. The mass production of synthetic condoms started in the 1840s.
A population report issued by George Washington University in 1974 said that some experts believe the word "condom" refers to Dr. Condom, the physician who provided England's Charles II with a means to prevent more illegitimate offspring.
According to AIDS activist Dr. Firman Lubis, the Dutch colonial government brought condoms to the country to fight the spread of venereal diseases. Japan, which occupied Indonesia from 1942 to 1945, distributed condoms to its troops.
After Indonesia gained independence in 1945, it adopted Dutch criminal law which banned the public sale of contraceptives.
In the late 1960s, the government implemented a family planning program to curb the rapid population growth. Condoms and other contraceptives were introduced to prevent pregnancy.
Today, 24 million people take part in the family planning program, according to the National Coordinating Board of the Family Planning Program. More than 3.6 million of the men use condoms. This is far below the number of women who use contraceptive injections methods (7.67 million), who take the pill (7.3 million) and who use an IUD (5.3 million).
The first condom factory in Indonesia was built in 1984 in Bandung. It produced 1.8 million condoms a year. Last year PT Mitra Banjaran took over the factory.
PT Vonix Latexindo, the second condom factory in Indonesia, was established in 1991. It produces five different types of condoms, including condoms with fruity and floral scents. The company produces one million condoms a month. Half of the condoms are exported to France, Russia, India and several other countries, according to Hendra Setiawan, a manager of the company.
He is optimistic that the local condom market will grow along with Indonesian's awareness of safe sex.
Director of PT Mitra Banjaran Halim Sugiarto shares Hendra's optimism, stressing that condoms have good prospects inside and outside the country.
In other countries, condoms are widely used to prevent HIV infection, which causes the deadly Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
The Indonesia government presumes that abstinence and faithfulness are the two key factors in preventing AIDS. Condoms, according to the government, are only for emergencies.
Indonesian AIDS activists, however, have launched safe-sex campaigns to curb the sexual transmission of the disease. Included in the campaigns is the distribution of condoms in the red light districts of major cities.
The Kusuma Buana Foundation, which deals a lot with the health problems of the urban poor, provides prostitutes in Kramat Tunggak, Jakarta, with 2,880 condoms a month.
Firman Lubis, executive director of the Kusuma Buana Foundation, says condoms are best just after they are produced. Condoms in drug stores might be spoiled. If condoms are well- packed and properly stored, they can be still good after four years. But they are best when used within two years after production.
"Condoms are very effective in preventing HIV infection if used correctly," Lubis said.
He said that condoms used to prevent the infection have special substance which can kill the virus.
Condoms, however, are not 100 percent effective against sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. Only sexual abstinence and sexual intercourse between mutually faithful non-diseased partners can claim complete effectiveness.