Safe sex ring tone sings "condom!"

A man dressed in a condom costume walks

at Vina del Mar beach during a summer campaign by the Chilean Corporation

of the Prevention of AIDS Jan. 27, 2008.(Chinese media/Reuters

Photo)
Photo

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BEIJING, Sept. 2 -- A cell phone ring tone that sings

"Condom, condom!" has been launched to promote safe sex in India, where condoms

carry a strong social stigma and HIV and AIDS are growing problems.

The acappella ring tone features a professional

singer chanting the word condom more than 50 times, a playful approach that

public health activists hope will spark discussion and make condoms more

socially acceptable.

"We've made a conscious effort to move the concept of

the condom away from negative association, like HIV and sex work," said Yvonne

MacPherson, country director of BBC World Service Trust India. "Condoms are

actually health products and if you have a condom and you use it, you are seen

to be smart and responsible."

(Source: China Daily/Agencies)