Just an FYI…

Uganda’s success in reducing its HIV rate from 21% to 6% from
1991 to 2002 is mainly due to the “B” in the ABC approach to HIV
prevention, which stands for abstinence, be faithful and use
condoms, Sam Ruteikara, co-chair of the Uganda National AIDS
Prevention Committee, writes in a Washington Post letter to the
editor. Ruteikara’s letter comes in response to recent a Post
opinion piece by columnist Michael Gerson, who wrote that
HIV/AIDS prevention is the “ultimate answer” to curbing the
epidemic in Africa. Ruteikara writes that he agrees prevention
is key, adding that “we must go further” and ask what “sort of
prevention” is needed.”AIDS epidemics in Africa are driven by
people having sex regularly with more than one person,”
Ruteikara writes, adding, “Therefore, our main message was stick
to one partner” and to use condoms “only as a last resort.” He
says, “Condoms won’t stop AIDS in Africa because fewer than 5%
of people use them consistently.” According to Ruteikara,
HIV/AIDS treatment is necessary, though he notes that providing
antiretrovirals to one patient with HIV/AIDS costs more than
$1,000. Ruteikara concludes that every “$1 spent on treatment is
$1 unspent on effective prevention” (Ruteikara, Washington Post,
4/16).

This came in a daily e-mail I get from the Kaiser Network. Check it out here:
Daily HIV Reports