AIDS Prevention Efforts Need Moral Component

Re “Battle in a Time of Peace,” July 7: In a time of the epidemic spread of AIDS in southern Africa, prevention efforts focused on promoting condom use are grossly inadequate. Rampant sexual misuse of women and girls is a major cause of the spread of this epidemic in Africa. With prostitution and promiscuity commonplace, men have little incentive to remain monogamous and are free to enjoy serial sex with multiple partners. Women are forced into compliance for economic or social reasons, and the recipe is complete for a sexual epidemic.

Monogamous marriage has proven to be the best protection against sexually transmitted diseases. But in our sexually amoral Western culture it is not politically correct to teach this truth, so a second-rate prevention is taught. So we say, “Always use a condom--if you have one.” But never, “Marry, be faithful, and you will be well.” So Africans suffer and die from AIDS with little hope of change. They deserve better.

Mike Nelson

Santa Paula