Nigerians have been advised against using palm oil, vegetable oil and other oil-based substances as sexual lubricants, particularly when condoms are being used.
The warning was issued by Taofeek Adeleye, a Senior Manager for Prevention Programmes at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, AHF, during a national training for media personnel on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, PrEP, in Lagos on Thursday.
The training was organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, WHO.
Adeleye advised Nigerians to use condoms of the appropriate size and take necessary precautions before engaging in sexual activity to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
He also stressed the importance of choosing a suitable lubricant when condoms are used, warning against oil-based substances.
“You can’t use palm oil, honey oil, balsamic, or vegetable oil. You can use water-based lubricants, which are advisable,” Adeleye said.
He also addressed the use of saliva where a lubricant is unavailable, advising people against using saliva from another person.
“And if you want to use saliva, it is advised that, in the absence of lubricant, the woman should use her own saliva, knowing fully well that the saliva is coming from her and going back into her, rather than using saliva from a foreign source,” he said.
Adeleye further encouraged people to ensure that they use condoms that fit properly.
He said individuals could try different condom sizes to determine which one was appropriate for them.
The training also focused on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, PrEP, an HIV prevention method in which people who do not have HIV take antiretroviral medication to reduce their risk of acquiring the virus.
PrEP is intended for people who may face an increased risk of HIV exposure. When taken as prescribed, it significantly reduces the risk of acquiring HIV, although it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections.
Health experts therefore continue to encourage a combination approach involving PrEP where appropriate, condom use, HIV testing and access to treatment.
The media training was designed to improve journalists’ understanding of PrEP and other HIV prevention measures, while promoting accurate public information and reducing misinformation and stigma surrounding HIV.
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