MORE RISK

Condoms may increase risk of AIDS

LONDON, Feb 11 - A recent study in The Lancet (Jan 29) medical journal reveals that "vigorous condom-promotion policy could increase rather than decrease unprotected sexual exposure if it has the unintended effect of encouraging greater sexual activity." John Richens, John Imrie and Andrew Copas of the University College London write that "it is hard to show that condom promotion has had any effect on HIV epidemics."

Moreover, the authors note that "increased condom use will increase the number of transmissions that result from condom failure" and could negatively affect "decisions of individuals to switch from inherently safer strategies of partner selection or fewer partners to the riskier strategy of developing or maintaining higher rates of partner change plus reliance on condoms."

As evidence, the authors cite a Canadian study in which television ads from the Ontario Ministry of Health "made respondents more inclined to use condoms and less inclined to avoid casual sexual partners."

See the journal at:

http://www.thelancet.com/