Condom Bar - 'ineffective' way to tackle AIDS

[Guest guest]

Study: CITCO's Condom Bar - 'ineffective' way to tackle AIDS

Sangeeta Johal, (sangeeta.johal@...)

Hindudtan Times, Chandigarh, June 26

THE MUCH-PUBLICISED Condom Bar of CITCO seems to be an ineffective

way to tackle HIV/AIDS, as it simply lacks the scientific ABC

approach.

As per the policy documents of USAID and scientific studies published

in the medical journal 'The Lancet', it is important that all three

components of the ABC approach be promoted simultaneously for

effectively tackling of HIV/AIDS epidemic. Globally mounting

scientific evidence also suggests that solely condom use does not

protect people because perceived risk compensation may cause condom

users to take greater risks in their sexual behaviour and the gain in

condoms use seems to be offset by the increase in the number of sex

partners. A condom gives people a false idea that they are totally

safe from AIDS.

Information provided by the person managing the Condom Bar revealed

that the Aids Society provided two boxes of condoms, each carrying 20

smaller packs and till date only one box has been consumed.

This clearly indicates that only 20 to 40 packs of condoms have moved

since the day of its inauguration nearly six weeks back, questioning

the concept's success. However, according to CITCO MD J.S. Bir, the

sale figure of the bar has increased by nearly three to four times.

He said the bar at Kalagram used to wear a deserted look earlier, but

now there is a lot of hustle-bustle due to the added publicity.

Expressing his ignorance about the ABC approach, he said he did

intensive research at his personal level before bringing this idea to

the public.

Dr Amar Singh from PGI Community Medicine Department expressed his

concerns and said, " This bar caters only to the upper and the middle

class of the society, where the 'A' and 'B' components should be

promoted more. I believe the bar is there to promote liquor rather

than HIV awareness. The concept simply lacks scientific approach, as

pictures displayed there promote promiscuity and not HIV-AIDS

prevention. "

Dr Avnish Jolly, an HIV-AIDS counsellor said, " HIV-AIDS is a serious

problem, which takes millions of lives worldwide and this seriousness

should not be diluted by such gimmickry. "

One of the pictures displayed there suggests multiple partners in the

bar, which is contrary to the basic prevention approach of HIV-AIDS

and certainly counterproductive.

Former Project Director, Sate AIDS Control Society (SACS), Dr

Trikha agreed and said, " That's true that we must advocate for all

the three ABC components. After seeing factors " A " and " B " missing in

the bar, we requested CITCO to place some of our literature too in

the bar, so that those coming there can also educate themselves. "

What is the 'ABC' approach?

'A' stands for abstaining from sex or delaying the sex al debut.

'B' stands for being faithful (fidelity)

C " stands for condom use

A balanced ABC approach requires implementation in the form of A

interventions emphasizing sexual postponement or a return abstinence

for youth; B interventions promote fidelity or partner reduction to

all who are sexually active and C interventions promoting condom use.

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