Although many people may repudiate the truth that the promotion of the use of condoms is not the answer to the prevention of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the truth remains unchanged.
Those who have supported the use of condoms opine that since some people cannot abstain or be faithful, they must use the condom to protect themselves from the virus. This assertion to a large extent is unacceptable because some years ago, people could remain faithful to their partners or abstain from sex if they were not married. Traditionally, people reckoned that the society frowned upon such acts of infidelity and pre-marital sex and those who became victims were severely punished. Religiously, such acts were regarded as immoral which were against the laws of the Supreme Being and the entire community. They were challenged to lead puritanical lifestyle and their conscience also convicted them of wrongdoing anytime such ethical precepts were violated. But, if today some people cannot remain faithful to their partners or abstain from sex if unmarried, the presupposition is that they lack the appropriate moral decorum to fit into the society.
Despite the fact that we cannot assign the spread of the virus to only the heterosexual means, we must not lose sight of the fact that 80% of all new infections of HIV/AIDS are through heterosexual contact (Ghana Health Service, 2004). Even though the promotion of the use of condoms is very high, research has shown that many men do not want their spouses or female partners to use the female condom during sexual intercourse and only few of them use the male condom as well. This may explain the attitude of complacency by the youth of which Prof. Awuku Sekyi Amoah the Director General of Ghana AIDS Commission, reckoned has led to the increase of HIV/AIIDS cases in Ghana. (Daily Graphic, 24th September, 2007). Therefore, our efforts to assuage the promotion of condoms which have often incited many people to indulge in indiscriminate sex are the right step to outfox HIV/AIDS. Besides, the messages of faithfulness and abstinence should not only be preached because of HIV/AIDS prevention, rather we should unearth and stress on their religious, cultural and psychological significance in order for people to appreciate the need to be faithful to their spouses or abstain from sex if they are not married.
Furthermore, the promotion of the use of condoms could be a catalyst to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Only a handful of people who patronize condoms understand the nuances involving their use; the rest of them are amateurish and may have contracted the virus unknowingly despite their use of the condom ostensibly to “protect” them. Besides, some of the condoms on the market are of low quality – there have been reports of low quality condoms on the market before. Some have expired and others can tear in the course of using them. Moreover, it is asserted by some experts that condoms may have some tiny pores. Therefore, it is possible for the HIV/AIDS virus to penetrate these pores thereby infecting those who use them. Perhaps, this possibility could account for the high rate of teenage pregnancy if indeed the youth patronize condoms. All these disadvantages amongst others can put a person who patronizes condom at some risk of still contracting or spreading the virus. On the contrary, those who have chosen to be faithful or abstain stand better chances of not becoming infected with the virus if they protect themselves against other modes of transmission such as contaminated blood transfusion and sharing skin piecing objects or sharp instruments with others.
Also, the promotion of the use of condoms as preventive mechanism has rather incited the youth into promiscuity. The message on condoms that is often preached to those in the first and second cycle institutions contradicts the message of abstinence. It is therefore neither surprising to find a condom in the pocket of a class six pupil nor hear of the shortage of condoms in some parts of the country during special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Easter, Christmas or traditional festivals. No wonder, the 2006 HIV sentinel report indicates that 88% of all HIV positive cases are those below the age 35. Indiscriminate use of condoms by the youth is a contributing factor to this alarming situation.
We must inspire people especially the youth to good works. Our messages should be on faithfulness and abstinence as the means of effective prevention of HIV/AIDS. It is through this and other means not mentioned in this piece, that the degeneration of ethical values in the society will be ameliorated in order to raise the hopes of the elders who lament on the future of the country visa –a-vis the kind of lifestyles the youth of today put up.
Unless the necessary behavioural and attitudinal changes are engendered, together with other preventive strategies, the fight against HIV/AIDS in Ghana or elsewhere in Africa will not be successful, if the use of condoms is made to carry the day.
University of Cape Coast, Ghana
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