In Durban delegates are meeting at the bi-annual meeting national Aids conference. In New York more than 30 heads of state and governments will gather at the United Nations High level Meeting on Aids. Where are you tonight? Are you inside with or without a condom?
The epidemic is not declining - some decline evident in statistics in teenagers- but the rest of the population growing in infections. I know you don't like to read about HIV/AIDS/STI'S/TB - its always someone else's problem. Until you look down and discover a wart on your genitals or have a partner disclose his/her status to you.
This is your problem , this is your sexuality- condoms, conversations and safer sex choices. And no one wants to do any of the above. I don't blame anyone- sex is about letting your hair down, getting drunk, and having fun. Awkwardness, fear, silence about warts, genital discharges is not what one wants to associate with sexuality.
There is exciting research being shared at the Aids conference in Durban. A study proved that people living with HIV and on antiretrovirals were much less likely to transmit the virus than not taking the drugs. It found that HIV negative men and women whose sexual partners were HIv positive were almost completely protected from transmission of HIV if the partner took ARV's.
wonderfully positive research, a real breakthrough. Yet I feel sad- surely we can prevent in other ways too? Like insisting on condoms, knowing your status, using condoms correctly and consistently. I am naive, as this approach does not work . I know enough about the sexual dance between two people to know we will never achieve prevention through this approach, as I say, it is too difficult to merely talk about sex, just sexuality, never mind risk saying "I only have covered safer sex."
However I will continue to talk about condom use continue to give condoms away and sell you interestign condoms that will allow you interestign safer sex.
Show/Hide comment form
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
