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Rapid Responses: Rapid Responses published:
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HIV and Catholicism
- John S Belstead (3 August 2005)
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Searching for papal scapegoats is pointless: not quite
- Jean-Francois Leblanc (19 August 2005)
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Re: Searching for papal scapegoats is pointless: not quite
- Peter KK Au-Yeung (20 August 2005)
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HIV and dignity of man
- Thomas Theelen (24 August 2005)
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John S Belstead, Retired A&E consultant N/A
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I am not a Catholic but am heartened by this letter. Perhaps now those who advocate increased sexual education as the way to solve teen pregnancy and the HIV problem could start to look seriously at advocating abstinence outside of a stable loving relationship Competing interests: I am a Christian |
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Jean-Francois Leblanc, Scientific information specialist Hema-Quebec, Sainte-Foy, Canada, G1V 5C3
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In his letter, Amin Abboud refers to epidemiological data suggesting that an inverse correlation exists between "the percentage of Catholics in any country" and the level of HIV infection. Of course, this correlation does not imply that being Catholic per se lowers the rish of being infected by HIV. While it is undeniable that abstinence, when strictly adhered to, is certainly the most effective measure for preventing HIV transmission, what if citizens living in HIV-endemic areas interpret these data at face value, and convert to Catholicism thinking that it will protect them from HIV infection? If some individuals need incentives to remain abstinent, such as adhering to Catholic principles, one would think that the Catholic church positively influences HIV prevention. However, pretending that condom use is ineffective in preventing HIV transmission is false, given that dozens of epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the condom is an effective HIV barrier. Excluding individuals living in a monogamous relationship in which both partners are truly HIV-negative, the bottom line is condom use and safe sexual practices are simple and highly efficacious preventive measures against HIV transmission by sexual contact. With regards to the epidemiological data mentioned by Abboud, I wonder if confounders might have biased the conclusions of the author. For example, to what extent the geography of Uganda relative to other African countries of high HIV prevalence, the mobility of individuals within and outside Uganda, and cultural factors, might have contributed to the lower HIV prevalence found in Uganda? Competing interests: I was born Catholic, but I am not practising. |
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Peter KK Au-Yeung, Specialist Anaesthetist Hong Kong
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I am baffled by Leblanc's question: "what if citizens living in HIV- endemic areas interpret these data at face value, and convert to Catholicism thinking that it will protect them from HIV infection?" Surely conversion to a religion involving embracing its principles, including in the case of Catholicism "adhering to Catholic principles". After all, one would expect that converts to Judaism or Islam to refrain from eating pork!! If the convert adheres to the Catholic teaching to stay faithful to a sexual relationship inside a marriage bond that cannot be broken, then he would have made a lifestyle, or behavioural change, which does have protective effects against all sexually transmitted diseases, of which HIV is but one, albeit a very deadly one. Leblanc's admission that the condom does not need apply to "individuals living in a monogamous relationship in which both partners are truly HIV-negative" surely supports the assertion that searching for papal scapegoats is pointless! Competing interests: None declared |
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Thomas Theelen, staff ophthalmologist Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands
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The widespread and partially very emotionalized discussion beyond medical scientists about prevention of HIV infection through condoms and the declining view of the Holy See is surprising. Theoretically, the use of condoms, if applied regularly, may decline the rate of HIV transmission in sexual intercourse. However, this may be highly dependent on the individual sexual technique. As a consequence, scientific evidence if condoms prevent infection with HIV within the general population is weak, and sexual practice and promiscuity are possibly more important factors which help the disease to spread around.(1) The Holy Father has founded his view on theological and ethical aspects rather than on biomedical science. Nevertheless, religious and sexual orientation will be of important impact for the individual risk of being HIV infected.(2) As Benedictus XVI points out, much of the world's misery is a consequence of the disregard of dignity of man.(3) This is certeinly true for those who only focus on their own sexual release. It will consequently be more preventive for HIV infections to follow the advise of Benedictus XVI than to depend on the use of condoms. (1) Hearst N, Chen S. Condom promotion for AIDS prevention in the developing world: is it working? Stud Fam Plann. 2004 Mar;35(1):39-47 (2) Bouscarat F. [Sexually transmitted infections. Current clinical and therapeutic data](in French) Med Mal Infect. 2005 May;35(5):290-8 (3) Ratzinger J, Seewald P. (eds.) Gott und die Welt [God and the world]. Droemer Knaur, München, 2005 Competing interests: Catholic |
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