Moral appeals won't stop spread of AIDS: Activist

JAKARTA (JP): Graphic campaigns promoting condom use to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS have failed to change sexual behavior, an expert said.

Publisher of the Jakarta-based journal WartAIDS Chris W. Green told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that "if there was a reason not to use condoms, then people will use that reason".

Use of condoms, along with sexual abstinence and monogamy, are being advocated in television public service messages to prevent transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which ultimately leads to the onset of AIDS.

The messages have provoked resistance from groups which fear they encourage promiscuity and argue the stress should be on religion and morality. Debates have also focused on whether condom use is effective in preventing HIV transmission.

"Sadly there are some parties who oppose the use of condoms, spreading misleading information that condoms are useless," Green said at a news conference.

Years of cooperation between activists and authorities have led to the 1994 National Strategy against HIV/AIDS. Among others is methods to prevent the spread of the virus "must stress religious and cultural values in Indonesia" and that "each person is entitled to accurate information to protect themselves and others against the infection of HIV/AIDS."

Green said that in reality little had changed and "sex workers cannot impose the use of condoms" on their clients.

The country should adopt all possible methods in curbing the spread of the virus, he added.

The news conference announced activities in conjunction with the 17th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial.

A total of 124 organizations will hold a gathering in Jakarta on Sunday to show solidarity for people with HIV/AIDS.

The groups' representatives made a declaration at the conference to Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Eradication Basri Hasanuddin, demanding a stop to discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS.

"We appeal for open discussion about AIDS without the incessant reference to morality, without the prejudice which condemns people who are HIV-positive and without mocking those whose behavior is considered risky," the declaration said.

An atmosphere of friendship will convince HIV-positive people to seek the support they need, it said.

Green said the religious approach stresses that "good-mannered people will not be infected with AIDS. This is very dangerous because the HIV virus does not discriminate".

Apart from sexual transmission, HIV is also spread through use of contaminated needles by drug users. There also were cases of transmission by blood transfusion before routine screening of blood donations.

Basri said the government was using special approaches emphasizing religion in anti-HIV/AIDS campaigns in Jakarta, Bali and South Sulawesi, but did not elaborate.

Green said official data showed there were 1,235 cases of HIV and AIDS in Indonesia this month since the disease was first reported in the country in 1987.

"In four months this year, HIV/AIDS cases have increased 25 percent."

Green said reported cases were only a fraction of the actual incidence of infection. He said the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimated there were about 25,000 people in the country who were HIV-positive. (08)