Moreover, they are so expensive that sometimes a person has to choose between buying something to eat or having safe sex. The effectiveness of preventive education has to take into account these cultural perceptions and misunderstandings and respect social structures. In Africa, even in cities, adolescents just cannot talk to their parents about sex. Such discussion is limited to people of their own age and sex. Adults have to drastically change acquired habits.
Teenagers have to be persuaded to adopt safe sexual habits, a much easier task.
Yet this is a long-term job operating on three levels awareness, information and education. Despite meagre resources, African countries have made great efforts to raise awareness and spread information. Posters and radio are the favoured methods. Performing arts presentations and advertising are also often used. Experience shows that condom sales increase in the ten days following an awareness campaign.