Condoms, HIV and the Roman Catholic Church

Abstract

For decades, the Roman Catholic Church opposed use of condoms to prevent spread of sexually transmitted infections (STI) because of their contraceptive effect. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI said that widespread use of condoms could worsen the situation, a position rejected as 'unscientific'. Recently, however the Pontiff stated that because the Church considers acts of prostitution and homosexuality to be gravely immoral and disordered, in such specific cases use of a condom might become an initial step in the direction of a moralization leading to an assumption of responsibility and a new awareness of the meaning of sexuality. In doing so, he reaffirmed his belief that condoms cannot solve the problem of STI spread, stressing the Church's position that modern societies no longer see sexuality as an 'expression of love, but only as a sort of drug that people administer to themselves'. The new Papal position has been widely applauded, but made conservative Catholics unhappy. A dialogue with the Church now seems possible: Does concentrating on condoms hinder the effectiveness of other strategies? What are the respective roles of condoms and other approaches to prevent infection spread? Does a special situation exist in Africa requiring specific and focused interventions?

Sociodemographic Factors, Sexual Behaviors, and Alcohol and Recreational Drug Use Associated with HIV Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Southern Vietnam

“…However, it is possible that people may believe that their destinies are decided by God and therefore take fewer precautions. It has been shown that personal sexual behaviors and cultures are sometimes related to religion [19–21]. Hence, education about HIV transmission and prevention should be discussed with religious leaders so they can deliver appropriate messages to MSM and their partners or families.…”

Rapid qualitative review of ethical issues surrounding healthcare for pregnant women or women of reproductive age in epidemic outbreaks

“…Finally, the theme of effectiveness occurred primarily in connection with control strategies for sexually transmittable epidemics. For instance, there is a risk that a control strategy based on contraceptives may be ineffective when no adequate support, counseling, or guidance is provided [ 21 ].…”

Ultrasound assessment of the peri‐implantation uterus: a review

“…Based on the observations outlined above, it appears reasonable to speculate that the JZ is exquisitely sensitive to pregnancy‐associated hormonal and embryonic signals. If so, failure of the JZ to remodel in early pregnancy may be predictive of subsequent failure or even obstetrical complications such as preterm labor11.…”

“…Human placenta formation, however, involves not only trophoblast invasion of the maternal decidua but also of the inner layer of the myometrium, a highly specialized uterine structure known as the junctional zone (JZ). Importantly, trophoblast invasion of the decidua and JZ, which forms the placental bed, is not only interstitial but also intravascular9–11. In fact, this process of intravascular trophoblast invasion critically controls the transformation of high‐resistance, low‐capacity spiral arteries into low‐resistance, high‐capacity vessels of pregnancy9, 12.…”