France affords free condoms to younger individuals | Well being

France on Sunday started providing free condoms to anybody 25 and underneath in an try to chop the variety of undesirable pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

What are the specifics of the coverage?

Younger individuals can decide up contraceptives — generally known as preservatifs or capotes — at pharmacies. French President Emmanuel Macron’s authorities introduced the transfer final month, initially aimed on the 18-25 age vary. But it surely was prolonged to underneath 18s after criticism that minors weren’t lined.

Macron mentioned on the time that France wasn’t doing an excellent job at intercourse schooling. “The truth may be very, very removed from the speculation. Now we have to coach our academics higher on this space, we’ve to sensitize them once more,” he mentioned. (Additionally Learn | Different contraceptive methods for women and men)

Though men and women can decide up condoms, the free provide solely applies to male condoms. Condoms are already out there free of charge at French youth teams and at some center and excessive faculties.

Philippe Besset, president of the federation of pharmaceutical associations of France (FSPF) instructed Le Figaro newspaper that there was no decrease age restrict in place. “But when a six-year-old asks for a field of condoms, in fact, we cannot give it to them,” he added.

France looking for to curb HIV infections

New HIV diagnoses in France remained regular in 2021 at round 5,000. However in keeping with Public Well being France, 15% of people that found they have been HIV constructive in 2021 have been underneath the age of 26.

Trendy medicine assist make sure that HIV not progresses to AIDS and nearly sure dying, with many individuals with the virus dwelling regular lifespans. Nevertheless, some do expertise sturdy uncomfortable side effects from the remedy and poor adherence can result in drug resistance.

HIV-AIDS help teams have known as for the broader use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medicine to scale back the danger of contracting HIV. Nevertheless, PrEP doesn’t defend in opposition to different sexually transmitted infections.

France final 12 months made testing for HIV-AIDS free and and not using a prescription.

The contraception capsule and different contraceptives corresponding to an IUD have been free for girls underneath 25 for the previous 12 months.

Earlier than that, solely women underneath the age of 18 have been eligible for a free capsule prescription.