EU says condoms are best way to fight AIDS

CONDOMS are the only effective protection against HIV/AIDS, though petroleum-based lubricants are not as reliable, according to a study carried out for the EU.

More than 40 million people worldwide have the disease and most of them live in the world’s poorest countries where the majority never receive any treatment.

Each year another five million people are infected with the virus for which there is no cure and over three million die, making HIV/AIDS the worst pandemic the world has ever faced.

Recently, questions have arisen over whether the virus can pass through pores in latex condoms but the latest EU research project proves they cannot.

Catholic agencies and the Bush administration in the US advise against using condoms, while the US has earmarked aid specifically for agencies working in Africa that do not promote the use of condoms.

The European Commission has been critical of this approach, especially in Africa where the epidemic is worst. Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Poul Nielson said yesterday, “Condoms are part of the solution. The condemnation of condoms is part of the problem.”

Research was carried out with 563 couples, where one was HIV positive, in a number of centres in Europe, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where the HIV epidemic is worst.

Over a 12 to 21-month period the study found that of 123 couples who used condoms regularly there was no infection, while among 122 partners who did not use them regularly, 12 became infected.

Another EU-funded project on 866 female prostitutes from European countries found that petroleum-based lubricants made condoms less effective.

“All studies concluded that the male condom is an effective way of preventing the transmission of HIV, with an efficacy close to 100% when the condom is used appropriately,” said an EU statement yesterday.