By Ikechukwu Samuel
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.
Adeleye said water-based lubricants were a safer option, particularly for people using condoms, because oil-based substances can compromise condom effectiveness.
He shared this information in Lagos on 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.
The AHF official also urged 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.
According to him, people should ensure that condoms fit properly and become familiar with their correct use.
“Two or three condoms—you will know the one that fits you. When you try them and don’t know which one fits your size, you ask, ‘Can it be done?’ I can close my eyes and put a condom on for you, which means it can be done for you,” Adeleye said.
He also advised men to pay attention to their sexual environment and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
“But I always advise men that when you are going to engage in sexual activity, you should also look around. When you are coming in here, you look at the room before you enter. You don’t just go into a place without knowing what is there,” he said.
On the choice of lubricants, Adeleye specifically cautioned against palm oil, vegetable oil and other oil-based products when using condoms.
“You can’t use palm oil, honey oil, balsamic, or vegetable oil. You can use water-based lubricants, which are advisable,” he said.
Adeleye also addressed the use of saliva when a lubricant is unavailable, advising against using saliva from another person.
He said that where saliva had to be used, an individual should use their own rather than saliva from another person.
The training formed part of ongoing efforts to expand combination HIV prevention interventions in Nigeria, including PrEP, condom use, HIV testing and treatment.
PrEP is an HIV prevention method in which HIV-negative people who may be exposed to HIV take antiretroviral medicines to reduce their risk of infection.
However, PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, making condoms an important component of combination prevention.
The media training was designed to improve journalists’ understanding of PrEP and other HIV prevention interventions, with the organisers stressing the importance of accurate public information in reducing misinformation and HIV-related stigma.
