The Brazilian Ministry of Health has ordered 4 million FC Female Condom from Chicago-based Female Health Company. The firm anticipates that shipments of the woman contraceptive to Brazil will begin at the start of next year.
Brazil is recognized by UNAIDS and other global public agencies for its highly effective HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment programs. The American company says that it's pleased that Brazilian women will have access to the FC Female Condom as a part of Brazil's successful AIDS programming.
In Brazil the female condom is distributed through the national network of public health centers and NGOs dedicated to family planning and the prevention of STDs (sexual transmitted diseases).
It's estimated that 682 government and non-government services are handing out the device in the country nowadays. Women infected with AIDS, prostitutes and female drug users are the first ones to get the female condom.
This female contraceptive is considered critical as a way to prevent the spread of AIDS and other sexual diseases. Sexual violence and refusal by some men to wear condom make the new contraceptive a valuable resource. 30% of all new AIDS cases in Brazil happen among women. And 83% of the infections are among women between 20 and 49 years of age.
The female condom, which as the male one has an open end and a closed one, is placed into the woman's vagina. Both ends have a flexible ring, which keeps the device inside the vagina.
The inner right at the closed end of the condom aids in insertion and secures the device in place during intercourse, while the softer ring remains outside the vagina.
Even when used correctly, however, these condoms have a 5% failure rate, meaning that 5 in every 100 women who wear the contraceptive might still get pregnant.
The Female Health Company, based in Chicago, Illinois, manufactures and markets the FC Female Condom, which is primarily distributed by public health organizations and donor groups in over 90 developing countries around the world.
World-wide, the Female Condom is available in various programs in 108 countries. The Company owns certain worldwide rights to the FC Female Condom, including patents that have been issued in the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the European Patent Convention, the People's Republic of China, Canada, South Korea and Australia.
FC Female Condom, according to its manufacturer, is the only available FDA-approved product controlled by a woman that offers dual protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and unintended pregnancy.
