Too much or not enough? It's a matter of supply, demand and geography in two South American countries where condoms are making news. Once easy to find, condoms began disappearing from pharmacy shelves in Venezuela at the beginning of the year, along with many foods and cleaning products as the country's economy struggles.
But in neighboring Brazil, the government is literally giving condoms away to promote safer sex during the country's uninhibited Carnival celebration in mid-February.
In Venezuela, merchants have begun selling condoms on the black market, using the local equivalent of Craigslist. Last week, a 24-pack of Durex condoms was going for $317 at Venezuela's official exchange rate, or $10 at the more widely used black market rate, the Associated Press reported.
Public health workers worry the shortage could worsen Venezuela's already high rates of HIV and teen pregnancy.
But it's party time in Brazil. Officials said the country's health ministry will distribute 70 million condoms nationwide during the Feb. 13-17 Carnival celebration.
And, in response to the growing popularity of hookup apps such as Tinder and Hornet, the country's health ministry has created fake profiles purporting to belong to revelers interested in unprotected sex. When users contact the profiles, they receive messages warning about the dangers.
