Expert warns against misuse of condoms that can lead to breakage

An expert in HIV prevention has warned that using condoms the wrong way, like with oil-based lubricants, can make condoms break. This can lower protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Taofeek Adeleye, the Senior Manager for Prevention Programmes at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, shared this warning in Lagos on Thursday. He spoke during a two-day training for journalists and social media influencers about HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

The training was organized by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The goal is to help journalists understand PrEP and other ways to prevent HIV, improving public access to correct information about the virus.

Adeleye said that people who rely on condoms need to be careful about how they use them. This includes picking the right size of condom and using the right kind of lubricant.

He advised against using palm oil, vegetable oil, and other oil-based products with condoms. Instead, he recommends using water-based lubricants.

"You can’t use palm oil, honey oil, balsamic, or vegetable oil. You can use water-based lubricants, which are advisable," he said.

His advice matches international guidelines on how to use condoms properly. The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC) says people using latex condoms should stick to water-based or silicone-based lubricants. They warn that oil-based lubricants can make condoms weak and cause them to break.

The WHO also states that lubricants can help prevent condoms from breaking, slipping, or coming off when used correctly.

Adeleye highlighted the need to use condoms that fit properly. He suggested that individuals should take precautions before having sex and stay aware of potential risks.

"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 explained.

This discussion comes as Nigeria focuses more on preventing new HIV infections through various methods, including condoms, HIV testing, and PrEP.

PrEP is a way to prevent HIV for people who do not have the virus but are at risk. It involves taking medicine to lower the chances of getting the virus. However, PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections or unplanned pregnancies. The WHO says that condoms and lubricants should still be part of HIV prevention services along with PrEP.

Nigeria is also looking to boost its response to HIV prevention. In March, NACA launched the National HIV Prevention Plan 2026, 2030, which aims to prevent new infections rather than just focusing on treatment after someone gets infected.

Despite making progress in expanding treatment and prevention services, Nigeria still reports thousands of new HIV infections. NACA’s Director-General, Temitope Ilori, shared this information.

Ilori mentioned that there were about 45,000 new infections last year, raising concerns about cases among young people.

"We have new infections coming up. There were about 45,000 new infections as of last year. We’re still gathering information regarding this year," she said.

She pointed out that these numbers show the need to strengthen prevention efforts. While about 1.3 percent of the general population lives with HIV, more than 98 percent are HIV-negative.

Ilori stated that Nigeria should focus on preventing new infections while ensuring those living with HIV have access to treatment. She noted that condoms and PrEP are key options for preventing HIV, stressing that people should choose prevention methods that fit their situation and level of risk.