The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has warned Nigerians against using palm oil, vegetable oil and other oil-based substances as lubricants during sexual activity.
Senior Manager for Prevention Programmes at AHF, Taofeek Adeleye, gave the warning on Thursday, August 20, during a national training session for media personnel on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in Lagos.
Adeleye advised sexually active individuals to use appropriate water-based lubricants, warning against substances such as palm oil, honey oil, balsamic products and vegetable oil.
“You can’t use palm oil, honey oil, balsamic, or vegetable oil. You can use water-based lubricants, which are advisable,” he said.
He added that where a suitable lubricant is unavailable, individuals should avoid using potentially unsuitable substances.
Adeleye also discussed the use of saliva as an alternative in the absence of lubricant, advising that a woman should use her own saliva rather than saliva from another person.
“In the absence of lubricant, the woman should use her own saliva, knowing fully well that the saliva is coming from her and going back into her, rather than using saliva from a foreign source,” he said.
Advice on Condom Use
The AHF official further encouraged sexually active people to use condoms that fit properly.
He advised individuals who are unsure of the appropriate size to try different condom sizes and seek guidance where necessary.
“Two or three condoms—you will know the one that fits you. When you try them and don’t know which one fits your size, you ask,” he said.
The training focused on HIV prevention and the importance of providing Nigerians with accurate information on safer sexual practices and HIV prevention options.