Condoms in Uganda budget

The Editor: In a recent letter to the press Jude Gonsalves presents extraordinary data. “Of 100 times the condom is used to prevent pregnancies, it fails 33 times [Allan Guttmaker Institute], or with my figures 17 times.”

These figures give one time in three and one in six, respectively. Taking Jude Gonsalves figure, this means that, on average, if a heterosexual couple uses condoms on six occasions to prevent pregnancy, then the woman will become pregnant. Most couples who want children, take several months, of active love making before the woman conceives. I am sure that Jude Gonsalves figures contradict those in his original sources. If his grasp of mathematical logic is so poor, perhaps he should refrain from writing letters to the press that contain any numerical data.

Jude Gonsalves repeats the point that Christine Gonsalves has raised in the press. They claim that one reason condoms fail is because they have holes in them. However, condoms do not leak when filled with water, and sperms and human immunodeficiency viruses are at least 1000 times larger than a water molecule. Jude Gonsalves also writes “Uganda has been successful in reducing AIDS. Why are we allowing the condom industry to slowly kill us?” The Uganda Aids Commission are promoting behaviour change and safe sex, which comprise “Abstinence, Fidelity and Condom” (aidsuganda.org/practical_info.htm). Part of their budget went towards buying condoms.

At least in Uganda, the condom industry seems to be helping to save lives. How much longer do we have to wait before our government follows in the footsteps of the Uganda Aids Commission and actively promotes condom use to save lives in Trinidad and Tobago? This could easily be done in school and via television.

Nigel Gains,
Maraval