Brazil Urges Condom Use, Tolerance of HIV Sufferers on World AIDS Day

In Brasilia on Monday, to commemorate World AIDS Day, elementary school students unfurled the "Solidarity Quilt," 100 yards by 60 yards of material comprising hundreds of patches, hand-sewn by children, urging tolerance for HIV/AIDS patients. In the background, a samba band played, "It's a Sin Not to Use One," a tune composer Wagner Tiso hopes will persuade Brazilians to use condoms.

Brazil's Catholic Church has objected to government prevention campaigns that emphasize safe sex through condom use. Church leaders have argued that abstinence and fidelity within marriage are the best ways to combat HIV/AIDS.

Public attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients have softened over the years; however, "There is still a crust of prejudice, especially from machismo that still identifies AIDS as a disease of homosexuals," said Dr. Artur Kalichman, Sao Paulo State AIDS Program Director.

Condom use among Brazilians has been increasing, according to Brazilian AIDS Program figures. In 1990, 300,000 condoms were sold per month. Now, approximately 5 million are sold.

"The fact is that safe sex, despite what the church says, is the most effective way to prevent the spread of AIDS," Kalichman said.

Annual AIDS deaths number about half of what they were in the late 1980s, said National AIDS Program Director Dr. Alexandre Grangeiro. Brazil reports 22,000 new cases of AIDS per year and 10,000 AIDS-related deaths.

"In 1991, the World Bank told us that Brazil would have 1.2 million AIDS patients within ten years," Grangeiro said. "Instead, we have half that, an estimated 600,000."

Grangeiro said 250,000 Brazilians are currently getting free treatment at public health facilities nationwide. The program's next focus is on the 350,000 estimated HIV-positive Brazilians who have not sought treatment.

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