In Nigeria, just like every other conservative societies in Africa, open conversations about sex is pretty seen as a taboo. As such, getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) at clinics or even purchasing condoms for ones own protection still attract looks of disdain and disapproval.
The downside Of this conservativeness is that it’s also difficult to talk about important issues such as safe sex. But with her startup, Florida Uzoaru is hoping to change that.
Florida Uzoaru
Florida Uzoaru is a mother, a wife and a public health and policy graduate and the founder of MerDroits, a health tech company that provides online access to affordable and judgment-free sexual health education, consultation and contraceptives sales, she’s also the founder of SLIDE SAFE, a self-testing kit for HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis.
Read Also:- 7 Of The Most Commonly Transmitted STD’s in Africa
Slide Safe
Florida Uzoaru launched the Lagos-based startup ‘Slide Share’ in January 2016 in a bid to increase sexual consciousness around safe sex and frequent testing for sexually transmitted diseases among Nigerian youths.
“As at March 2016, Nigeria had an estimated HIV positive population of 3.3 million, making up almost 10% of the global HIV/AIDS burden in the world.”
According to information contained on their website, Slide Safe builds a consciousness of sexual safety, and encourages a healthier sexual relationship and lifestyle.
SlideSafe packages are brightly-colored and give no indication of their contents. So even if you have it in front of a large crowd they wouldn’t know what it is…
Read Also:- Terrifying Facts About Nigerian Women and STDs
Aside from that, distribution of the self-testing kits for HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis is done on a strictly anonymous basis.
Users can order for the package through the company website for between 2,000 to 7,500 Naira, and then perform simple blood tests in their home, receiving the results in 15 minutes…
Aside from just selling SlideSafe uzoaru also promotes safe sex through sexuality education programs, through her platform ‘MerDroits’.
Her slidesafe testing kits is one of it’s kind in africa and has been described as a wonderful alternative to visiting a healthcare provider, by Dr. Brandon Brown, an epidemiologist at UCLA who has studied infectious diseases in Nigeria.
The test kit has also been described as the perfect tool for sexually active Nigerian’s who value privacy and confidentiality, and the convenience of getting their needs met…
