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.