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Why Are HIV Rates Rising In Uganda?
Looks like a focus on abstinence education could actually be increasing the spread of HIV, but this data doesn’t seem to sway the Ugandan government.
The latest HIV infection information from Uganda seems to indicate that the abstinence approach may be a disaster in the making. Uganda, long viewed as a model for HIV prevention success in Africa, appears to have taken a wrong turn in promoting the program described as ABC…A: abstinence first…B: be faithful in a committed relationship…C: use condoms if A and B fail. The Bush administration appears to be complicit in these alarming new infection rates by virtue of its push towards programs that emphasize abstinence while moving away from the promotion of condom usage.
Daniel DiRito has more.
One Response to “Why Are HIV Rates Rising In Uganda?”
That corresponds with what I’ve read about abstinence programs. They increase the intent not to have sex immediately after a counseling or motivational session as measured by exit interviews, but they have essentially no effect on later sexual behavior some number of months (6?) out.
However, they reduce the likelihood of condom use, so that the incidence or pregnancy and STD’s are higher.
I guess that’s the law of unintended consequences in action.