HIV and ABSTINENCE

The subject of abstinence as a method of prevention for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases has been one of much debate. Yet, for all of the discussion about its pros and cons,  the fact still remains that selling the concept of abstinence as a method of prevention,  at least in most of the countries of the western hemisphere, has not been successful.  

This has not been the case however in the continent of Africa, specifically in Uganda, where the number of cases infected with HIV plummeted from 18% in 1992 to 6.7% in 2005.  The OMS, (name in English) has recognized Uganda as being the only country to achieve such a drop in the dreaded illness.

In light of this, the question is, what has Uganda done to achieve the dramatic drop in HIV cases?

One clue to this country’s success could be a Catholic nun called; Miriam Duggan, M.D. Sister Duggan has developed and employed an educational program titled, “Education for Life”. The program’s goal is to motivate people to abstain from sex before marriage and to maintain fidelity during the marriage.  “Education for Life” also emphasizes the sometimes fatal consequences of sexual promiscuity. The program delineates many facts about the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, (STD). Using statistics to drive points home, the program shows how the early onset of sexual relations leads to a greater risk of contracting STD's as well as increasing the number of teenage pregnancies.  The Ugandan government has supported Sister Duggan’s program, assuring that it reaches the farthest corner of the country.  For this country at least, the answer seems to have been abstinence.

Uganda stands as an example of the success of abstinence as a method of prevention. It is the foolproof way to assure eliminating all risk. However to achieve Uganda’s success, abstinence has to become something more than a verbalized concept; it has to be empowered.  Abstinence is empowered when
it is attached to a sense of values. When we educate on upholding human dignity, on cherishing life and on making decisions benefiting not only ourselves, but others as well, we will begin to empower this concept. When we teach God’s order in creation and to honor his precepts, we will begin to empower this concept.  

The Catholic Church wants to spread the concept of abstinence as one of the most successful methods of prevention for HIV and other STD's. Empowering this method will reduce the number of cases infected worldwide.