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A scientist working at an Indian health major has won a USD 100,000-grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for developing next-generation condoms using polyester raw material as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional prophylactics. Lakshminarayanan Ragupathy, of HLL Lifecare Limited, has won the grant for the project, among 50 ideas selected as a part of the Grand Challenges Explorations (GCE) Round-12 funded by the Foundation, company's Chairman and Managing Director M Ayyappan said in a statement today.
Commenting on the award, Ragupathy, who works at HLL's state-of-the-art Corporate R&D Centre, said it would be his endeavour to develop extremely thin and bio-degradable condoms, which will ensure increased use in the days to come. The grant will enable him to pursue an innovative global health and development research project, titled 'polyester materials to produce better, green and cheaper condoms.' (Read: Could you be allergic to condoms?)
The GCE funds individuals worldwide to explore game-changing ideas that can break the mould in resolving persistent global health and development challenges. A polymer scientist, Ragupathy joined HLL in 2012. Earlier, he had worked as a post-doctoral fellow at University of Ulm, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Germany; and University of Manchester, UK. He obtained his PhD from Heriot-Watt University, UK in 2006. (Read: Busted 6 myths about condoms and other forms of contraception)
Why are Indians using fewer condoms?
With 1.2 billion people, India's barely a nation that can afford to be lax about contraception but according to the health ministry, condom usage has dropped by 38% from 2.6 crore in 2007 to 1.6 crore in 2010-11. Also the statistics should be taken with a pinch of salt because these statistics only reflect the condoms distributed free of charge by the government and doesn't reflect the rise in condom sales produced by private companies. The United Nations Family Planning Association's (UNFPA) India president Sujatha Natarajan told TOI, said the decline could be because of a host of reasons such as preference for permanent methods of contraception and dip in social marketing and distribution of condom. 'In 2006-07, the investments in media campaigns for use of condoms were very high because it was related to combating HIV-AIDS. The investments have subsequently come down,' she said, adding that the people had more contraceptive choices now.'
What is contraception?
Contraception refers to artificial methods to prevent pregnancies. There are various ways this is done condoms, diaphragms, oral contraceptives, behavioural birth control methods and spermicides. Condoms are the most cost-effective, easily available contraceptives and also help prevent HIV-AIDS and other STDs. Because of cultural barriers, the sex education scenario in our country is abysmal and there's a need to improve it to prevent early pregnancies. Early pregnancies aren't only dangerous for the mothers but have a causal link with poor children's development and infant mortality.
Barrier birth control condoms and diaphragms
Condoms are without a doubt one of the greatest inventions of mankind. Not only are they the most cost-effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies but they also stop the transmission of various STDs including the dreaded HIV/AIDS. When used properly, condoms have a 98% success rate! (How not to use a male condom) Nowadays, female condoms are also widely used. Much like their male counterparts, they work on the same barrier principle. And they're believed to be more pleasurable as well, though costlier.
Diaphragms work on the same barrier principle as condoms and need to be inserted into the vagina at the mouth of the cervix (the opening to the uterus, based at the highest point of the vagina). Remember, that it's a very small opening so there's no fear of the diaphragm going into the uterus. (Read: Condoms: Frequently Asked Questions)
Pros and cons: They are easily available, inexpensive and work effectively when used properly. The con is that there's a certain stigma attached to buying them in many countries (including ours) and might be overlooked in the heat of the moment. The availability of the right size can also be a problem. Some also live under the impression that they decrease pleasure and aren't as good as the real thing. (Read: Why are Indians using fewer condoms?)
With inputs from PTI
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