Using condom is `economically' worthwhile<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Use a condom when having sex. It's worthwhile
\nnot only from a health point of view but also from an economic
\npoint of view.<\/p>\n
During a seminar at the University of Indonesia's School of
\nEconomics yesterday, Gerard Russo from the East-West Center in
\nHawaii pointed out, however, that the economic benefit measured
\nby the expected value of life gained, will be more of an
\nincentive for the female than for the male.<\/p>\n
"A man may know that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is
\nthere, but if the probability is small, he may still not want to
\nuse a condom," Russo said. "Women have more at stake than men."<\/p>\n
"When a male in America has sex with a female, the risk is
\nlower that he will get it because he either already has it, or
\nshe does not," he pointed out.<\/p>\n
Russo's study on the use of condoms in the presence of the HIV
\nrisk and the role of economic and epidemiological variables, was
\nbased on several earlier studies in the United States.<\/p>\n
His studies, with samples taken from various health centers
\nacross the United States, show that females are more susceptible
\nto HIV than males, which means that the probability of a HIV-
\npositive male to transmit the virus to a HIV-negative female
\nthrough vaginal intercourse was greater than vice versa.<\/p>\n
Through anal intercourse by homosexual couples, a HIV-positive
\n"receptive" partner would have a bigger chance of transmitting
\nthe virus to his HIV-negative "insertive" partner than if the
\n"insertive" partner was the one carrying HIV.<\/p>\n
Based on the premise that a person with HIV -- and later with
\nAcquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) -- would have a
\nshorter life expectancy, Russo calculated that a female would
\nhave a greater benefit from using a condom than a male would,
\nalthough the extent of this would also vary according to the
\nfemale and male's race.<\/p>\n
A black person, for example, due to his economic conditions
\nand domicile in mostly urban areas, is more susceptible to HIV
\nthan a white person. The susceptibility of a person of Hispanic
\norigin would be somewhere between the two.<\/p>\n
Russo calculated that a black female having vaginal
\nintercourse with a black male, for instance, would have a high
\nrisk of transmission.<\/p>\n
Putting money figures on the life value of a person at
\n$670,000, Russo discovered that a black female would benefit
\n$6.70 while the black male would gain $2.82 from using a condom.<\/p>\n
Their joint expected benefit of using a condom, $9.52, was
\ncalculated as being the highest compared to the benefit gained by
\na female and male of different race.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a white male and female couple would have the
\nlowest benefit of using a condom, which was totaled to $0.61.<\/p>\n
The probability of getting HIV in rural areas is also low,
\nthus the benefit of using a condom would be so as well. However,
\nsuch a community would be very vulnerable and once HIV is
\nintroduced, it can become epidemic, Russo said.<\/p>\n
He stressed, however, that using condoms does not entirely
\neliminate the possibility of getting HIV. Condoms from latex are
\nmost effective while those from organic material, such as goat
\nskin, have pores which can still be penetrated by the virus.<\/p>\n
"There are other methods of contraception which are better
\nthan condoms, but, apart from abstinence and complete monogamous
\nbehavior, condoms are the best way to prevent HIV," Russo said.<\/p>\n
He suggested couples to use several methods simultaneously:
\ncondoms to protect against HIV and other method against unwanted
\npregnancy. (pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/using-condom-is-economically-worthwhile-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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