[procaare] Clarification re: Pathfinder FP/VCT Tool Prevention Messages

["Alden Dillow" <adillow@pathfind.org>]

Clarification re: Pathfinder FP/VCT Tool Prevention Messages
- Alden Dillow
**************

Dear Christophe Cornu and Eric Fleutelot:

Thank you for your interest in our FP/VCT counseling job aide.

I would like to provide some clarification and explanation regarding the
prevention counseling message that you disagreed with (messages to
ProCaare copied below).

The tool that we have produced is intended for use in Voluntary
Counseling and Testing Centers.  It does include the message "Encourage
correct and consistent condom use for any risky sex (partners outside
marriage)" but ONLY for couples who have come together for HIV testing
and who have both just tested negative for HIV.  

We developed this tool with counselors, program managers, and clinicians
in Africa who felt that our tool reflected realistic messages that they
felt comfortable promoting with clients.  

Of course, we encourage partners to apply and adapt the tool for their
needs.

Respectfully, Alden

Alden Dillow
HIV/AIDS Advisor
Pathfinder International
Watertown, MA 02472, USA
Web: www.pathfind.org
Email: adillow@pathfind.org 

= = = = = = = 

RESPONDING TO:

Stop misleading prevention messages
- Christophe Cornu
**************

Pathfinder International just announced the publication of  the
reference guide for Family Planning Counseling Family Planning
Discussion Topics for Voluntary Counseling and Testing.

I am in shock when I see that a guide published by an organization like
Pathfinder International conveys consistently misleading prevention
messages such as "Encourage correct and consistent condom use for any
risky sex (partners outside marriage)". Millions of married women in the
world and particularly in Africa got infected with HIV because of such
stupid messages, believing or forced to believe that sex with their
husband is safe because marriage is supposed to equal fidelity. I am
surprised that in 2008 reality is still denied for ideological and
political reasons, putting at risk millions of lives.

Christophe Cornu
Senior Consultant, Public Health and Development
Email: christophecornu@wanadoo.fr
- - -

Re: Stop misleading prevention messages (1)
- Eric Fleutelot
****************

I fully agree with the last message sent by Christophe Cornu.

In addition, these kinds of messages should also be considered as highly
discriminatory against HIV+ people. Let me be very clear, inside
marriage, if one of the partners is HIV+, condoms should be used.
Marriage does not protect, alas. 

Probably those who are promoting marriage and being faithful as means to
avoid HIV expect HIV+ people not to have sex???

25 years after the discovery of the virus and the means of transmission,
don't you think this is really a pity not to face HIV - Aids reality ?

Eric Fleutelot
Directeur des progammes internationaux
Mail: e.fleutelot@sidaction.org