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As part of a new safe-sex initiative
to encourage condom use, the Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control
(SMI) launched an app on Tuesday that allows users to “test sex” with a range
of fantasy characters portrayed by Swedish actors. Users can also send a
request to a Facebook friend for a test “fling.”
“The focus is on condom use,”
explained Karin Raagsjoe, who thought up the idea for the app for SMI. “We’re
trying to get this issue on the agenda.” Once users decide which character they
want to simulate sex with, they are asked if they want to use a condom.
Other messages also pop up during
the “sex,” including “Did you know that people who suggest using a condom are
seen as confident and considerate?” and “Did you know Swedes are among the
worst in the world at using a condom?”
Raagsjoe said the app is a fun way
to raise awareness and get people to visit the campaign’s website, which
provides tips for using condoms and other health information, such as STD
testing sites.
“Swedes are bad at using condoms,”
Raagsjoe said, citing studies showing that as few as 40 percent of Swedes used
protection. The app targets young people since “it is really hard to reach this
group with the message of condom use.”
“And people are also a bit shy,”
Raagsjoe said to further explain why condoms are not used more frequently. “In
the north we are known for being open about sex, but it is still hard to bring
up the issue of using a condom.” Moreover, she said, “it can be hard if you
don’t make it a habit ... sort of like wearing a bike helmet.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit:
http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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