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Health minister advocates abstinence before condoms

    JOHANNESBURG

    Zimbabwean health officials have endorsed the use of condoms only where people fail to abstain or remain faithful to their partners.

    Health Minister David Parirenyatwa warned that the availability of condoms should not be viewed as a "licence" for irresponsible sexual behaviour.

    "Condoms are not the answer to [HIV/AIDS] ... How we view sexual relations at a time when AIDS continues to decimate our population is the most important thing," the local Herald newspaper quoted him as saying.

    The minister attributed his country's recent decline in HIV prevalence - from 24.6 percent to 20.1 - to the government's strategy of 'Abstinence, Be faithful and Condom-use' - the 'ABC' model, as well as the consistent and proper use of condoms.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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