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Huge drop in Zimbabwe HIV rate fuelled by rise in abstinence

Despite the proliferation of massive condom campaigns in the fight against HIV/AIDS, another study has shown that the most effective strategy is to promote marital fidelity and sexual responsibility, reports LifeSiteNews.com.

The new study from Zimbabwe, where HIV prevalence has dropped 50% since peaking in the late-1990s, found that the success was driven primarily by changes in sexual behavior, particularly a drop in casual, commercial, and extramarital sex.

“In Zimbabwe, as elsewhere, partner reduction appears to have played a crucial role in reversing the HIV epidemic,” wrote Daniel Halperin, PhD, of the Harvard School of Public Health, and colleagues. The study, published this month at PLoSMedicine.org, was commissioned by the UNFPA and UNAIDS.

The researchers found that the change in behaviour was motivated by fear of the infection, stemming from the country’s high rate of AIDS mortality. They say it was amplified by economic decline because men had less money to pay for sex or to maintain multiple sexual relationships.

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TAGS: Zimbabwe condom campaigns fight against HIV/AIDS marital fidelity sexual responsibility abstinence

[02/18/2011]

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