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World Cup condoms (in case you score)

By Alix Miller
March 15, 2010 at 11:19 am

condom-170World Cup fever has started early in our office with our footy-mad manager Charles booking most of June off to see the tournament in South Africa.

Even a football refusenik such as myself can’t help but be swept along by the excitement of this competition where even tiny nations not known for their pitch prowess can play against more established gods of the beautiful game…and even topple them.

Away from the competition, there could be plenty of action of another variety if recent news is anything to go by. According to an article in the Guardian, Britain is to give South Africa a whopping 42 million condoms in an HIV prevention drive before the World Cup.

Now this may sound like a lot especially given football fans’ libido-lowering penchant for pre and post-match beers. However, with an estimated 40,000 sex workers expected to arrive for the month-long tournament, and South Africa’s already high rate of HIV (one in five adults are HIV-positive), a preventative approach makes sense.

The British Red Cross has been supporting HIV programmes in South Africa since 1999. In addition to condom distribution, these programmes increase awareness, deliver peer education and provide care and support for people living with HIV (and their carers).

How much do you know about HIV and AIDS? Take our test and find out.


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  • http://www.georgedearsley.blogspot.com George Dearsley

    “World Cup Willy….we all love him so….”

  • http://www.betfootballodds.co.uk/ Football odds

    That stat of 40000 sex workers arriving in south africa for the world cup isnt something i would have thought of. I guess that must happen for every major event in the world. 42 million jonnies, that is some rubber.