[Vox Pop] Nigerians speak on new vaginal gel that protects against HIV

Last week, researchers in USA developed a new vaginal gel that could help to protect women from HIV even if applied three hours after sex.

In the report of the study published in Science Journal, the researchers said they believed a gel that could be applied after sex would be more practical because it would give women more control and would require less preparation before sex and less partner acceptance.

“This study supports evaluation of this class of drug for HIV prevention and further evaluation of post-coital modalities in women for enhanced acceptability and compliance,” the researchers said in the report.

Since the news about the gel got to African media platforms, Africans especially Nigerians have been voicing their opinions on the gel that contains the anti-HIV drug, raltegravir.

Gabriel Angelgabriel said: “Why is it only vaginal gel? It is not fair.”

Thybabe Harmless King said: “So amazing o. It’s only for women.”

Charles Okonkwo said: “I will bring it for you Papa I see you are a sex machine.”

Japhet Ahangba said: “May I please know the name of the gel?”

Gabriel Ndon warned that the innovation should be seen as a license for ladies to go into prostitution fully.

He said: “This is not a license for prostitution because it has not been "tried on a large species". Be warned HIV has no cure.”

Odini ADC warned that imitations of the gel could soon flood the Nigerian market thus increasing HIV mortality in one of the nations of the world with high prevalence of HIV.

“My fear is that Onitsha will sooner or later develop theirs, sending unsuspecting victims to early grave via HIV,” Odini said.