With HIV continuing to spread

With HIV continuing to spread across all regions of the world, effective HIV
prevention programmes must be rapidly scaled up to match the scope of the
AIDS epidemic. The range and mix of interventions needed vary by country depending
on local epidemiology and sociocultural context. They should include, but not be
limited to, education on the ‘ABCs’ of prevention (abstinence/delayed sexual initiation,
being safer by being faithful to one’s partner/reducing the number of sexual partners,
and correct and consistent condom use), treatment and care of sexually transmitted
infections, voluntary counselling and testing services, prevention of mother-to-child
transmission, harm reduction, safe blood supplies and medical injections, and addressing
discrimination and stigmatization.
Condom promotion plays an important role in HIV prevention. The question is how to
position this successful public health strategy within a comprehensive HIV prevention
strategy which includes the promotion of informed, responsible and safer sexual
behaviour.
This ‘cutting-edge perspective’ publication draws attention to policy and programme
implications of insights on the role of condoms gained from scientific studies and
programme experiences. Its goal is to assist AIDS programme providers and decisionmakers
with particular responsibilities in condom programming, and key community
leaders who influence decisions on reproductive health in their constituencies to position
condom use optimally within overall prevention programming in their communities and
countries.