undergraduate

Hoping to reduce unwanted pregnancies and the risk of STD transmission due to unsafe sex, a group of DTU students invented smart free condom dispensers which will be installed at public places around Danang.

A photo of a free condom dispenser at a school has been circulating on social networks, attracting much attention. Many expressed their enthusiasm and interest in the creative invention, and believe that it demonstrates the sophistication of our youth today.

The dispenser was designed with the words “Condom Box” on it. By pressing a button, the number of condoms remaining is displayed and there is a slot where donations can be made.

 

On first sight, people were delighted by this one-of-a-kind dispenser, which is a simple idea reflecting the creativity and forward-thinking about the safe sex issues of young people today.

“So impressive, giving users a reminder, and at the same time allowing them to donate”, “I don’t know which school this is, but I wish mine had one like it”... Many of the comments expressed excitement.

It was later discovered that the dispenser was installed in front of the Hai Chau District Youth Union and was a science project of a group of students of the DTU Faculty of Electrical Engineering

Nguyen Cong Tin, the leader of a team of three boys and three girls, created it for the “Social Venture Plan” competition, which Duy Tan University organizes together with other leading universities in the central region.

 

The main advantage is that it automatically distributes free condoms with a simple press of a button. Battery powered, it can operate for about two to three days before recharging. It is designed with the aim of eliminating shyness in obtaining contraceptives.

 

The mechanics of this smart machine are also quite unique. It has a built-in system with informs the operator when it is about to run out of condoms which keeps it working to allow scientists to use its data  sociologically.

When it is recharged, the dispenser contains 50 condoms of all shapes and sizes. The user receives one condom with the message “Thank you for using our service”.

On the left is a slot through which people can insert money to support this social initiative, when the user receives another message saying “Thank you for supporting our program”.

“The donors give money to our program, which is used to buy high-quality condoms to guarantee absolute safety and continue the free service to all that need it.” Tin explained. “Each of the machines dispenses about 20 to 30 condoms daily.”

Tin adds that, currently, the greatest difficulty is that his team cannot continue to afford to supply free condoms. To maintain the dispensers, they have paid for quality condoms themselves for free distribution.

Doan Thi Thu Ha says that production cost of each dispenser is about four million VND, also paid by the group members so far. They have already constructed four machines, and will request permission to install them in other public places, at the Lien Chieu District Health Center and the Lien Chieu District Youth Union.

Tin explained that, “If the experiment succeeds, we hope that the government and investors will continue to produce free dispensers for those who need them.”

Although it is still experimental, with a limited number of dispensers, the project is considered to be a very efficient way of improving public health throughout our community.

Mr Nguyen Manh Dung, Secretary of the Hai Chau District Youth Union, said, “The first free condom dispenser was installed on December 31st. Their manufacture and installation in public places around Danang would be very beneficial to the community, to reduce unwanted pregnancies and STD transmission, by practicing safe sex.”