Using the slogan “Get dressed, always use a condom,” Brazil’s campaign to combat Aids during this year’s Carnaval was launched yesterday by the Minister of Health, Humberto Costa, at the clubhouse of the Black Ball Cordon, the most traditional Carnaval bloc in Rio.
During Carnaval, 11 million condoms will be distributed free of charge throughout Brazil. The state of Rio de Janeiro alone will receive 1.5 million of them.
For this year’s campaign, the Ministry of Health spent around US$ 2.3 million (R$ 6 million) for publicity and the purchase of additional condoms. Each month the Ministry distributes 20 million condoms.
The target of this year’s campaign is the low-income population, in which the level of ignorance about Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases is still high.
Actors and drag queens participated in the inauguration of the campaign.
Translation: David Silberstein
Reporter – Agência Brasil