Expert warns against using palm, vegetable oil as sexual lubricant

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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 lubricants during sexual activity, saying water-based lubricants are the safer option when condoms are used.

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Adeleye spoke in Lagos on Thursday at a national training of media personnel on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS and the World Health Organisation.

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He also urged people to ensure that they use condoms of the appropriate size and take precautions before engaging in sexual activity as part of efforts to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

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Adeleye said, “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.”

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He advised men to be conscious of their sexual environment and avoid taking unnecessary risks.

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“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.

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On lubricants, the AHF official cautioned against the use of substances such as palm oil, vegetable oil and other oil-based products, particularly with condoms.

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

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He also discussed the use of saliva in the absence of a lubricant, advising that individuals should not use saliva from another person.

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“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.

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The training came as Nigeria continues to scale up combination HIV prevention interventions, including PrEP, condom use, HIV testing and treatment.

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PrEP is an HIV prevention method in which HIV-negative people who may be exposed to the virus take antiretroviral medicines to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV. It is designed for people who do not have HIV but may have a higher risk of exposure.

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When taken as prescribed, PrEP significantly reduces the risk of acquiring HIV, but it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections. Condoms therefore remain an important component of combination prevention.

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Nigeria has one of the largest HIV burdens globally. Recent national HIV estimates have continued to show the importance of expanding prevention services, particularly among populations at higher risk of HIV infection.

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The Federal Government, through NACA and its partners, has consequently continued to emphasise a combination approach to HIV prevention, while efforts are also being made to improve access to testing, treatment and preventive services.

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The media training was aimed at strengthening journalists’ understanding of PrEP and other HIV prevention interventions so they can provide more accurate information to the public and contribute to reducing misinformation and stigma surrounding HIV.

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