Brazil Rolls Out Carnival STI Prevention With 138 Million Condoms, Testing and PrEP/PEP Access

Overview

• The Health Ministry shipped 138 million condoms to states in the past three months and is promoting two SUS models added in 2025, the textured TEX and the ultrathin SENSI.
• The national campaign frames prevention before, during and after festivities with vaccination and PrEP beforehand, condoms during events, and HIV self-testing plus PEP within 72 hours afterward.
• Municipal data show pressure points, including a 5.8% rise in STIs in Santa Bárbara D’Oeste to 522 cases in 2025 and, in Mato Grosso, 946 HIV cases, 436 AIDS cases and over 600 hepatitis confirmations last year.
• Local services expanded Carnival actions such as free prevention kits and rapid tests in Piracicaba, PrEP and PEP at Limeira’s Semil, and mobile CTA distributions with HIV self-tests, condoms and lubricant in Guarujá through Feb. 20.
• Health officials highlight persistent low condom uptake—ministerial messaging cites 60% nonuse and IBGE’s 2019 survey shows few report consistent use—and experts warn many STIs are silent, making early testing and treatment crucial.