Members of the High Table During ICD 2020

The National HIV/AIDS Secretariat (NAS), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Sierra Leone and partners celebrated the 2020 International Condom Day (ICD) in Kenema City on Friday, 14th February, 2020. The celebration was in collaboration with Local Councils, District Health Management Team (DHMT), the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Implementing Partners, Sierra Leone Red Cross Society (SLRCS), Eastern Polytechnic, Covenant Hope College, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and Media Houses.

Lined-up activities were implemented to celebrate the day key among which were:

AHF Team Displaying Condoms at the City Plaza

RADIO TALK SHOWS

A series of radio talk shows were held on the 2020 International Condom Day (ICD) celebrations at various Radio stations in Kenema City from 5th to 14th February, 2020. Partners held radio talks at Kamboi Agricultural Radio, Gola Agricultural Radio, Vote FM, Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation (SLBC), Nongowa Radio and Star Line Radio. A Simulcast radio programme linking four other radio stations was also held at Star Line Radio in Kenema City. Topics discussed during the radio talk shows included the 2020 International Condom Day activities, HIV and other STIs, and condom promotion by dispelling myths and misconceptions, promoting safer sex practices through correct and consistent use of condoms to prevent HIV, STIs and unwanted pregnancies.

Photo of Radio Talk Show at Star Line	Radio Photo of Radio Talk Show at Kamboi Radio

CONDOM PROMOTION

Condom promotion was embedded in the radio talk shows but the distribution exercise for the 2020 ICD celebration started on 13th and climaxed on 14th February, 2020. The activity targeted International parks, Market places, Hotels, Guest Houses, communities, Ataya Bases, Pubs and Night Clubs. It was also carried out during the Marathon and Wheel Chair race, including the Condom Fashion Night. On the whole, a total of 614,880 pieces of male condoms which included 23,040 Icon condoms, 28,800 Love condoms, 1,440 UNFPA condoms and 561,600 NAS condoms (Latex condoms) were distributed during the entire 2020 ICD celebrations.

MARATHON AND WHEEL CHAIR RACE

These events took place in Kenema City on 14th February, 2020 in which a total of 216 participants (Marathon - 188 males and 17 females; Wheel Chair race - 9 males, 2 females) took part in the respective events. The Marathon started at Panderu for male category and Hangha for the female category and they all raced through RTI, Gombu, Air Field, Hangha Road, Koroma Street, Sumaila Street, Combema Road, Kings Way Street, Daama Road Junction, Clock Tower, Hangha Road again and ended at the Kenema City Plaza.

Photo of Male Marathoners at Starting Point	Photo of Female Marathoners at starting Point

The Wheel Chair race male category started at Panderu while that for the female category started at Air Field and they all raced through IDA, Hangha Road, round the Clock Tower, Hangha Road again and ended at the Kenema City Plaza.

Photo of Male Wheel Chair Participants	Photo of Wheel chair Race participants at Plaza

For the Marathon male category, first position went to Alpha K. Fofanah, while that for the female category went to Miss Kpana Kanneh. For the Wheel Chair race, the first position male category went to Kalilu M. Koroma while that for the female category went to Madam Safiatu Kabba. Certificates and Prizes were awarded to the Marathoners as well as the Wheel Chair racers.

CONDOM FASHION NIGHT

The Condom Fashion Night was hosted at the Holy Trinity Hall, Blama Road on 14th February, 2020. Activities under the Condom Fashion Night included:

• Singing and Dancing Competition A total of 3 participants (2 males and 1 female) took part in the singing and dancing competition. The competition was open to people 18 years and above and the songs were done in line with the theme of the 2020 ICD celebration - “Safer is Fun”. At the end of the competition, the first position went to Miss Aminata Abdulai, followed by Aruna Sokay Banya and Sannoh Bockarie for the second and third positions respectively.

• Condom Fashion Designer – A total of 6 participants (3 males and 3 Females) took part in the contest all of whom were youths. Contestants were expected to design the condoms in such a way that the contents were not destroyed. The condoms were designed into different items like dresses, suits, bags, bracelets, shoes, etc. For this year’s contest, the Best Condom Designer went to Morie Ensah, while the second and third positions went to Amara Kortu and Fatmata Brima respectively.

• Inter-Collegiate Debate –Two tertiary institutions –Eastern Polytechnic and Covenant Hope College participated in the competition each represented by two candidates. The topic for the Debate was: “Condom awareness and sensitization should be promoted among people below the age of consent”. The Eastern Polytechnic was in favour of the motion while the Covenant Hope College was against the motion. The Best Debater went to Madam Amarachi Kobinah of the Covenant Hope College, followed by Joseph Senesie Nyuma of the Eastern Polytechnic and John Lamin of the Covenant Hope College in second and third places respectively. On the whole, Covenant Hope College emerged the Best Institution for the 2020 ICD Inter-Collegiate Debate held in Kenema City. Certificates were awarded to all participants in the above three events while Prizes were given to only the top three participants in each of the three event categories.

HIV COUNSELING AND TESTING

A total of 151 people representing 72 males and 79 females were tested for HIV during the 2020 ICD Condom Fashion Night at the Holy Trinity Hall in Kenema City on 14th February, 2020. Out of that total, 2 people tested positive for HIV representing 1.3% of the total number of people counselled and tested for the infection both of whom were females. Due to limited quantities of HIV test kits available for the 2020 ICD celebrations, HIV testing was limited to the condom Fashion Night alone.

This event was written by the M&E Officer James Patrick Magbity National HIV/AIDS Secretariat- Kenema -Eastern Region- Sierra Leone.