Safe sex concerns - Women say no intercourse if condom prices rise

Some Jamaicans say they are choosing abstinence as fears grow over rising condom prices, while others warn the cost could push risky behaviour.

"Honestly, mi just ago abstain more than ever," said Shanice Brown, a customer service representative in Kingston. "Everything expensive already ... mi cyaah manage no extra burden."

Brown argued that the rising cost of living has already forced her to be more deliberate about her choices and this would be no different.

"When you really think about it, a baby expensive, treatment expensive, even heartbreak expensive," she said. "So if protection get expensive too, mi rather just remove myself from the situation."

The concerns come as condom brands commonly used in Jamaica, including Durex, face possible price increases due to rising oil costs, which affect materials used in both production and packaging. A small pack of condoms costs roughly $500 to $700. Reckitt Benckiser, the company behind Durex, has warned that sustained increases in oil prices could significantly raise its costs, with manufacturers already signalling that some of that burden could be passed on to consumers.

With condoms playing a key role in preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI), health officials sayaccess remains critical, particularly among young people. Data from the Western Regional Health Authority show that while HIV and STI rates have remained relatively stable in recent years, young adults aged 20 to 29 continue to account for the largest share of infections, followed by those aged 30 to 39.

Unlike Brown, others say abstinence is unrealistic.

"People nah go stop have sex, mek mi tell you that from now," said Skippa, a taxi operator in downtown Kington. "So the real question is what dem ago do instead."

"Some man ago say dem using bag, some ago say dem pulling out, and all kinda foolishness," he said. "Poor people always improvise. When things expensive, dem find a way around it and that way not always safe."

Ricardo Grant said that "Money control everything, even common sense sometimes".

"A man might know say him fi use protection, but if him cyaan afford it or feel like it too expensive, him start justify nonsense in him head," he said.

He added that the issue is not whether people understand the risks, but how they respond under pressure.

"People always adjust," he said. "Is just whether dem adjusting in a smart way or a dangerous way."

Still, not everyone believes condom prices will significantly affect behaviour.

"Mi nuh think it ago affect Jamaica like that," said Dwayne Clarke, a vendor in Half-Way Tree. "Condom dear or cheap, people still ago do what dem want do."

He suggested that the situation could have unintended consequences, joking that the rising cost could be a plot to increase the birth rate. But he maintained that economic strain can influence behaviour in subtle ways.

"You might not plan fi tek risk, but when things tight, people cut corners," he said.

Women, however, were more direct about the implications, particularly around responsibility and protection.

"You can't leave your health in a man hand," said Latoya Campbell, a retail worker in Kingston. "Especially when money tight, because some men will use any excuse."

"Simple things like 'It too expensive' or 'Mi nah have it right now'. And if you're not strong, you might give in. So women have to be more firm now."

"This just going to show who was serious about protecting themselves and who wasn't," she added.

Another woman, Danielle Forbes, said the economic pressure alone is enough to influence her personal choices.

"Life hard already," she said. "So when you add this on top of everything, it force you to think different," she said. "Mi just step back. Because sometimes the safest decision is to remove yourself completely. Less stress, less risk."