Doing the right thing

Letters to the editor - We're lucky to live in a world of specialized care and services. It seems no matter what problem or complaint we have, there is somebody who has distinctive training that can help us through our dilemma.

When we have a toothache, we visit the dentist. When a car acts up, we take it to a mechanic. When there's trouble with the law, we see a lawyer. And when we have a medical problem that's become a worldwide pandemic, we heed advice from ... the Pope?

Last week, Pope Benedict XVI made his first visit to Africa as pontiff. On the plane ride to the continent, the Pope made his first clear statements on the use of condoms in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

He told reporters travelling with him the Catholic Church was at the forefront of the battle against AIDS. He said a moral and responsible attitude - and not condoms - would help fight the disease.

"You can't resolve it with the distribution of condoms," said the Pope. "On the contrary, it increases the problem."

The Vatican takes the stance that abstinence of premarital sex and fidelity in marriage are the key weapons against HIV and AIDS.

In a report released last August, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS estimated in 2007, 33 million people worldwide were living with HIV - and 22 million (or two-thirds) of those people were in Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, three-quarters of 2007 worldwide AIDS deaths were also in that particular part of the world.

So here's a man, on his way to Africa, saying that condoms could only increase the problem of HIV and AIDS. If the Pope was actually serious about preventing the spread of HIV, he would see that condoms are a viable and respectable aspect in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

If anything, speaking out against condom use to a continent with many Roman Catholic followers is downright dangerous and could potentially make the problem even worse.

Sure, abstinence and fidelity are fine and respectable forms of behaviour, but scientific evidence shows condoms to be an effective guard against HIV for those who are indeed sexually active.

In a statement released Friday, UNAIDS officials said men's latex condoms are "the single, most efficient, available technology to reduce the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections."

The statement went on to say while the search for a vaccine against HIV continues, condoms will remain a key preventive tool from the disease for many years to come.

"Conclusive evidence from extensive research among heterosexual couples in which one partner is infected with HIV shows that correct and consistent condom use significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission from both men to women, and also from women to men," said officials. "Prevention programmes need to ensure that high-quality condoms are accessible to those who need them, when they need them, and that people have the knowledge and skills to use them correctly."

The officials said condoms have played a decisive role in HIV prevention in many countries and that condoms have helped to reduce HIV infection rates where AIDS has already taken hold, and that condom use generally encourages safer sexual behaviour.

Indeed, the best way to avoid transmission of HIV is to abstain from sex or have a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected person. Condoms are cheap, portable and when used correctly, an effective guard against the spread of HIV.

The Pope is certainly entitled to his opinions. But saying condoms won't help the resolve the issue of HIV and AIDS - and even worse, saying it only increases the problem - is one of the most irresponsible statements any world leader could make on the issue.

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In case you're didn't know, were curious, or too timid to ask, here are some tips from Health Canada on how to maximize the protection of a male condom:

Try several brands of condoms until you find ones that work best for you;

Always read and follow the directions on the package;

Do not use a condom after the expiry date, which can be found printed on the package. And be sure to store condoms at room temperature, out of direct sunlight;

Lubricants can be found next to the condoms in stores. Be sure to read instructions on the package carefully. Be aware that petroleum or oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum jelly, weaken latex condoms;

Condoms can also be weakened by some vaginal products, such as those containing estrogens;

To reduce the risk of pregnancy, apply a spermicide immediately if you find a condom has broken after use;

Other contraceptive methods, such as the pill or intrauterine devices, offer no protection against sexually transmitted diseases or HIV.