Pope's Denunciation Of Condoms 'No Help' In Curbing Spread Of HIV, Washington Post Editorial Says

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 20 Mar 2009 - 6:00 PDT

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Although "[i]n a perfect world, people would abstain from having sex until they were married or would be monogamous in committed relationships, ... the world isn't perfect," a Washington Post editorial states, adding that "neither is Pope Benedict's pronouncement on the effectiveness of condoms in the battle against HIV/AIDS. The evidence says so." The editorial asks, "Are condoms foolproof protection against infection by HIV, which causes AIDS? No." However, even though condoms sometimes break or are used incorrectly, "doctors on the front lines of the fight against the AIDS epidemic established long ago that the use of condoms greatly diminishes the transmission of HIV," according to the editorial. It says that it is "troubling" that Benedict "chose to question the value of condoms in fighting the nearly 28-year-old scourge while heading to the continent whose people are most affected by it." Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 67% of people living with HIV in the world and 75% of all AIDS deaths, according to UNAIDS, the editorial states. It adds that "[h]eterosexual intercourse is the 'driving force' behind the epidemic." According to the editorial, "To halt the march of HIV/AIDS, those who have the infection must be treated. Those who do not have it need all the information and tools possible to remain HIV-negative." It concludes, "The pope's denunciation of condoms is of no help" (Washington Post, 3/19).

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