A Senior Manager for Prevention Programmes at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Taofeek Adeleye, has warned Nigerians against using palm oil, vegetable oil and other oil-based substances as sexual lubricants, particularly when using condoms.
Adeleye gave the warning in Lagos on Thursday during a national training for media personnel on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS and the World Health Organisation.
He advised people who use condoms to opt for water-based lubricants, while also stressing the importance of using condoms of the appropriate size.
“You can’t use palm oil, honey oil, balsamic, or vegetable oil. You can use water-based lubricants, which are advisable,” Adeleye said, according to PUNCH.
He also urged people to take precautions before engaging in sexual activity and be conscious of their surroundings to reduce exposure to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Adeleye further addressed the use of saliva when a lubricant is unavailable, advising against using another person’s saliva.
He said individuals who choose to use saliva should use their own rather than saliva from another person.
The training focused on improving media reporting about PrEP and other HIV prevention measures, including condom use, HIV testing and treatment.
PrEP is an HIV prevention method for people who do not have HIV but may face a higher risk of exposure. When taken as prescribed, it significantly reduces the risk of acquiring HIV, although it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections.
NACA and its partners continue to promote a combination approach to HIV prevention, with condoms remaining an important part of efforts to reduce the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
The warning by Adeleye is consistent with wider HIV prevention guidance promoting correct condom use and access to suitable lubricants. NACA documents also identify Adeleye as an AIDS Healthcare Foundation contributor to Nigeria’s HIV prevention programmes.
