HIV, with Dr Watiti
Aug 15, 2010
What do we do to reduce new infections, considering people are no longer listening to the messages that worked — the Abstain, Be faithful and Condom-use (ABC) strategy
Dear Doctor,
What do we do to reduce new infections, considering people are no longer listening to the messages that worked — the Abstain, Be faithful and Condom-use (ABC) strategy.
Lydia
Dear Lydia,
While developing communication, education and information materials for HIV prevention, we need to remember that people’s perception of the disease has changed drastically over the years. Many no longer view HIV as an immediate threat to their health or a possible cause of death.
The normalisation of HIV has led to complacency. The ABC strategy has fuelled stigma among people living with HIV (PLHIV) who are crucial in controlling new infections. For example, I have heard people say the most efficient way of preventing HIV is to abstain from sex. Those who cannot are advised to get married and be faithful, while those who cannot do either of the above are advised to use condoms.
This implies that PLHIV did not abstain, were never faithful and did not use condoms. Many respond by denying these allegations and that they have HIV. This means they continue behaving normally, fuelling the spread of HIV. People get infected with HIV when exposed to it via unsafe procedures which may be legal and acceptable such as sex among marrieds, or illegal and unacceptable acts like rape.
What do we do to reduce new infections, considering people are no longer listening to the messages that worked — the Abstain, Be faithful and Condom-use (ABC) strategy.
Lydia
Dear Lydia,
While developing communication, education and information materials for HIV prevention, we need to remember that people’s perception of the disease has changed drastically over the years. Many no longer view HIV as an immediate threat to their health or a possible cause of death.
The normalisation of HIV has led to complacency. The ABC strategy has fuelled stigma among people living with HIV (PLHIV) who are crucial in controlling new infections. For example, I have heard people say the most efficient way of preventing HIV is to abstain from sex. Those who cannot are advised to get married and be faithful, while those who cannot do either of the above are advised to use condoms.
This implies that PLHIV did not abstain, were never faithful and did not use condoms. Many respond by denying these allegations and that they have HIV. This means they continue behaving normally, fuelling the spread of HIV. People get infected with HIV when exposed to it via unsafe procedures which may be legal and acceptable such as sex among marrieds, or illegal and unacceptable acts like rape.