|TOP|In a conference of Christian Aid HIV partners from around the world, the charity became aware of problems implicit in the doctrine and approach of their HIV unit, ‘ABC’. The ‘ABC’ stands for ‘Abstinence; Be faithful; and use Condoms,’ and has been presented as: abstain; if you can’t abstain, then be faithful; and if you can’t be faithful, then use a condom.

Some of the messages given to alleviate the effects of HIV have had the unfortunate consequence of adding to the stigma surrounding it; ABC is one such message.

According the definitions of ABC, the use of a condom automatically puts a person in the category of one who cannot be faithful or does not want to abstain. This fuels stigma and precludes safer sexual practices.

Therefore ABC, as a theory, is not well suited to the complexities of human life. If you or your partner have been tested positive for HIV and still have unprotected sexual intercourse, then this puts the other person at risk of HIV infection.

Christian Aid partner ANERELA+ (the African Network of Religious Leaders Living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS) has developed a new model for a comprehensive HIV response, called SAVE. |AD|

• Safer practices
• Available medications
• Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT)
• Empowerment through education.

In discussions with partners from around the world, Christian Aid has decided to adopt SAVE as the basis for a comprehensive approach to HIV. The response to HIV should therefore be based on public health measures and human rights principles, and treated as a virus - not a moral issue.

The SAVE model combines prevention and care components, as well as providing messages to counter stigma.

S refers to safer practices covering all the different modes of HIV transmission. For example: safe blood for blood transfusion; barrier methods for penetrative sexual intercourse; sterile needles and syringes for injecting; safer methods for scarification; and adoption of universal medical precautions.

A refers to available medications. Antiretroviral (ARV) therapy is by no means the only medical intervention needed by people living with HIV or AIDS (PLHA). Long before it may be necessary, or desirable, for a person to commence ARV therapy, some HIV associated infections will have to be treated.

Treating these infections results in better quality of life, better health and longer term survival. Every person needs good nutrition and clean water, and this is doubly true for PLHA.

V refers to voluntary counselling and testing. Individuals who know their HIV status are in a better position to protect themselves from infection; and if they are HIV-positive, from infecting another. Someone who is HIV-positive can be provided with information and support to enable them to live positively. People who are ignorant of their HIV status, or who are not cared for, can be sources of new HIV infections.

E refers to empowerment through education. It is not possible to make informed decisions about any aspect of HIV or sexual behaviour without access to all the relevant facts. Inaccurate information and ignorance are two of the greatest factors driving HIV- and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination.

This will assist people to live positively regardless to their HIV status, and to break down barriers which HIV has created between people and within communities. Education includes information on good nutrition, stress management, and the need for physical exercise.