Moral appeals won't stop spread of AIDS: Activist

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)