Singapore to be declared African Church-state to curb AIDS SCOURGE!

From our dear ST Forum again, Dec 4, 2004

'Zero grazing' kept HIV in check in Uganda

I REFER to the letters by Mr Harvey Neo and Mr Eugene Tan (ST, Dec 1) on the use of condoms to prevent HIV infection. Mr Neo had selectively taken data to create the impression that condom use is the main reason for the decline of HIV infection in Uganda.

However, if one was to study reports by reputable agencies like USAid, UNAids, the World Health Organisation, Uganda government and numerous independent studies published in reputable journals, despite different approaches, the reports agree on a central fact: Abstinence and reduction in the number of sexual partners, not condoms, were the most important behavioural changes linked to the HIV decline in Uganda.

Based on research data collected over the past decade, several lessons can be drawn from the success of Uganda's strategy:

High-risk sexual behaviours can be discouraged and replaced by healthier lifestyles.

Abstinence and marital fidelity appear to be the most important factors in preventing the spread of HIV/Aids.

Condoms do not play a primary role in reducing HIV transmission.

The most significant changes in Uganda involved high-risk sexual behaviours. One data set shows dramatic declines in the number of people engaging with multiple partners. Only 21 per cent of Ugandan males reported having more than one partner in 1995, down from 41 per cent in 1989. Among females only 9 per cent reported multiple partners.

Ugandans embraced what they call 'zero grazing', meaning being faithful to one partner, typically in a marriage relationship.

Contrary to the assumptions of public-health officials who believed that young people cannot control themselves because of their raging hormones, Uganda's emphasis on abstinence and fidelity resonated strongly with the youths.

The effect was to create what researchers call a 'social vaccine' against Aids, a set of cultural values that encouraged more responsible sexual attitudes and behaviours.

A meta-analysis published in the Crochane Review suggests that, even when condoms are used consistently, their effectiveness is only about 80 per cent. A draft report for UNAids puts the failure rate of condoms at about 10 per cent.

It would be highly irresponsible for health-care workers to promote use of the condom with its significant failure rate, rather than abstinence and fidelity which are the only 100-per-cent way of preventing Aids.

An UNAids report says: 'There are no definite examples yet of generalised epidemics that have been turned back by prevention programmes based primarily on condom promotion.'

This would help explain why countries with the highest levels of condom availability - Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and Kenya - still have the world's highest prevalence rates.

Finally, it is interesting to note that participation in Uganda's Aids campaign by faith-based organisations (FBOs) across Christian, Muslim and Jewish traditions appears to have been a crucial part of the effort's success.

FBOs were involved from the beginning of the national response and were considered adept at promoting abstinence and faithfulness.

Dr Lee Hew Mun

Dr Lee Hew Mun doesn't care whether you contract HIV or not. She's only worried that you might fuck too many people and smear the sacred creation of GOD that is the human body. Which is why instead of the condom, I suggest the promotion of the handy and absolutely fool-proof chastity-belt instead.

Available in various colours and flavours, it can be secured with either an industrial-strength ABLOY lock or a combination mechanism. Besides preventing unfortunate accidental extra-marital copulations that will probably lead to HIV INFECTION FOR SURE, these marvellous devices also prevent the unholy act of ONANISM, better known as: 'Polishing the knob' or 'Beating the bishop'; and for those without appendages: 'Buffin' the muffin' or 'Feeding the beaver'.

What more can you ask from this multi-function harness in both male and female versions? Not only is it a wonderful prophylactic, if worn atop of your clothes, in can also be an incredible fashion statement! SO DON"T MISS THIS GREAT OFFER. I urge you to get your own fitted belt NOW!

Ok enough of product placement. What is this big UGANDIAN debate about anyway? So what if the 'Zero Grazing' campaign worked in Uganda. Last I checked we are not a largely pastoral, sub-Saharan African republic.

Besides, the reason why it had worked there is chiefly because Uganda had no concept of monogomy at all in the first place before the advent of Judeo-Christian faiths. Hence, when fierce proselytizing ensued, obviously the amount of transmissions is stemmed since monogamy is now actually practiced in any significant portion of the population. Whereas the situation in Singapore is quite disimilar. Most people already understand the precept of monogamy, even the small minority that are so-termed 'loose'. What they may not know is how imperative it is to don a ribbed-rubber as they do their so-termed 'grazing'. These are the buttheads that make up the significant part of the HIV infected people each year, which is the reason safer-sex education is so important. These guys aren't going to go back to their wives just because you give them a few pamphlets and 'educate' them about it. But they may just put on that condom if they know how effective it can be, or rather how dangerous intercourse can be without it.

And Dr Lee, faith in your GOD is not going to protect you from your husband who just might bring some unwholesome viruses back from Batam. Neither will faith in your husband for that matter. Nothing beats a good old Chastity-belt.