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Social & Moral Issues |
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Social & Moral Issues |
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INSISTING ON CONDOMS TO STOP AIDS AN INTELLIGENT OPTION?
PRESS
RELEASE The Abstinence vs. Condom debate at the International AIDS Conference in Bangkok once again highlights how world-renowned experts differ on the most effective way to control HIV infection. Some International AIDS expert’s still insist that condom promotion is “the key”, but Doctors for Life International would like to issue a strong word of warning against pursuing this way of “least resistance” in a fool-hardy manner. There is general consensus that multiple partners and sexual promiscuity propels the deadly HIV virus. The act of giving a condom to a young person (be it an already promiscuous or an abstaining teenager), however, expresses a powerful symbolism. Can international health authorities hope to encourage a change in sexual life style, while they at the same time provide the “tools” to live promiscuously? If we are going to demand that young people exercise personal responsibility and if we say that they will suffer the consequences of their personal choices, then what are the teenagers to think when, in the next breath “intelligent” health professionals give formal sanction to a project that facilitates promiscuity? Indeed, the teenager is partially financed to continue this self-destructive behaviour. The goal should be to eliminate dangerous behaviour, not to “experiment” with “cleaner, safer “ways of doing it. Right from the onset of the epidemic, condoms have been the main thrust of the AIDS prevention strategies of health authorities. Over the past 10 years the SA government has, to a certain extent, changed their approach following pressure from DFL and other organisations promoting family values. At present, the approach of the Department of Health is the “ABC approach”; (A standing for abstinence, B for behaviour change and C for condoms). DFL is delighted about this change, as well as with the (unacceptably slow) introduction of the “A” and the “B” part of the strategy. We have, however, found that the condom message confuses the youth and nullifies the impact of the other two messages. It also raises an important ethical problem because people can be morally compelled to support a lesser harm [a certain amount of increase in promiscuity] in order to overcome a greater harm [AIDS]. This approach constitutes a reckless experiment with human beings. On the unproved assumption that these programs prevent the spread of AIDS, teenagers are actively encouraged to continue having sex and are exempt from being reprimanded about their life styles. The more than 1000 medical doctors of Doctors for Life International feel it is high time to admit failure and change the approach. Past experience and numerous studies on these kinds of AIDS prevention strategies have shown that they indeed promote promiscuity and often give the youth a false sense of security – usually the learners are not informed of the 20% failure rate of condoms. Proof of the effect of a mixed message can be found in the fact that, time and again the government has had to admit total failure of existing programs to stem a rampant AIDS epidemic that has made SA the country with the most AIDS cases in the world. This stands in stark contrast to the roaring success of abstinence based programs (even on a national scale like in Uganda) that present a clear message. It is DFL’s opinion that it may be time for European and American scientists to stop trying to tell Uganda how they achieved their success and simply to listen and learn from the people who reduced their HIV infection rate dramatically. The success of AIDS prevention campaigns does not depend on a technical device but lies in the realm of value systems. DFL want to ask the international health authorities to re-consider whether the hoped-for reduction in AIDS justifies sending a mixed message that will undermine the credibility of all society’s other behaviour change efforts – especially those preventative education efforts aimed at dissuading young people who use “government issued” condoms to stop their dangerous behaviour. ### Doctors for Life International represents more than 1000 doctors and specialists across the globe. Contact Heinrich Botes for more information at (031) 764-0443 and www.doctorsforlifeinternational.com _______________________________________________ Please read our disclaimer |
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