MADAGASCAR: Protestant church against condoms in AIDS battle

Religious leaders threaten to hamper Madagascar's plans to distribute 15 million free condoms in 2005 as an HIV/AIDS prevention method.

Agence France-Presse quoted Armand Razafimahefa, former head of the island's protestant church, as saying: "I am firmly opposed to the use of the condom as a means of fighting AIDS, because it promotes promiscuity."

Razafimahefa suggested that the money used on condom promotion be used for HIV vaccine research instead.

With research showing a rising prevalence rate of 0.16 percent in 2000 to just over one percent currently, AIDS experts are concerned that Madagascar has entered a phase where AIDS will become generalised.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Other,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]