NGOs propose new anti-AIDS model

African and international NGOs are proposing that the widely used anti-AIDS model of Abstinence, Be faithful and Condom use (ABC) should be replaced.

Christian Aid and its partner, the African Network of Religious Leaders Living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, said they had become aware of problems implicit in the model, such as the unfortunate consequence of fuelling stigma.

One such assumption was that condom use automatically put a person in the category of those who could not be faithful or did not want to abstain from sexual activity outside of an established relationship.

"ABC, as a theory, is not well suited to the complexities of human life," the statement charged.

For this reason, the partners said they had developed the SAVE model: S-afer practices; A-vailable medications; V-oluntary counselling and testing and E-mpowerment through education.