The National Agency for the Control of AIDS has advised Nigerians not to engage in unsafe sexual behaviour during the festive season.
NACA, who made this known on Tuesday in a Press statement signed by the agency’s head of public relations and protocol, Toyin Aderibigbe, noted that unsafe sexual behaviour will aid the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
According to the Director General of NACA, Dr Gambo Aliyu, engaging in unsafe and unclean sexual activities can significantly heighten the risk of HIV transmission and other STIs.
“The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, and as we come together with loved ones, it is paramount that we prioritise our health and well-being.
“As we celebrate this festive season, let us make responsible choices in our intimate lives. By adopting and advocating for responsible sexual practices, we can collectively contribute to a healthier and happier community.
“Abstinence, maintaining faithfulness to your partner, and consistently using condoms are among the most effective measures to prevent the transmission of these infections,” Dr Aliyu said.
He added that the agency remains committed to raising awareness and promoting preventive measures that will safeguard public health.
Incidentally, a team of researchers recently investigated whether the incidence of penile fractures increased during Christmas, using German hospital data for 3,421 men who sustained such injuries between 2005 and 2021.
They found penile fractures increased during the festive period, adding, “If every day was like Christmas, 43% more penile fractures would have occurred in Germany from 2005 onwards.”
The study, published in the British Journal of Urology International, also found penile fractures increased during weekends and over the summer, but not during New Year’s Eve.
The authors said that may be because New Year’s Eve is not as widely celebrated in Germany as Christmas.
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