Why should I care when people choose to have unprotected sex?

Dear Eve

with Rosie Stone

Monday, April 05, 2010

Dear Eve,

I struggle to see HIV as my business. I don't see why I should care when people choose to have unprotected sex and become infected.

JLW

Dear JLW,

You are not alone in your thinking and many other Jamaicans have uttered that exact sentiment. Why should you care?

You should care because we are all inter-connected. If we use the sports analogy, when our athletes do well on the international stage, we as Jamaicans feel a collective pride in their achievements. When the cricket team struggles we feel negative emotions. Unfortunately, with HIV infection some of us are not as responsible in our sexual practices as we should be. Though these behaviours carry individual responsibility, they have collective and national impact.

We all have family and friends who we love and would want the best for. We don't want to see them hurt or in pain: even if you think they brought it on themselves. It is not far-fetched to think that most Jamaicans will eventually be touched by HIV in one way or another. One way certainly might be that you personally have to show empathy for a friend or a family member who has contracted the virus.

On a more general level, there are persons working tirelessly in HIV prevention and advocacy, trying to keep all the people who are now presently HIV-negative to remain negative and to reduce spread and re-infection. There are those working to create enabling environments free from stigma and discrimination. They need all the help that they can get from all Jamaicans.

There are also many persons working with HIV-positive persons; organisations like JN+ and NGOs like Eve for Life and Jamaica AIDS Support. These entities need support from the public to carry out their mandate. You can visit these websites, get acquainted with the issues and programmes related to HIV as well as seek opportunities to offer your help.

The truth is HIV does not discriminate. Of the 28,000 persons estimated to be living with HIV, more than 60 per cent are unaware they carry the virus. Many of them are involved in what they consider faithful relationships where condom use is not part of their relationships. HIV affects the infected and the uninfected, the teacher, nurse, doctor -- everyone. So we all need to care.

You can send your questions or comments relating to HIV or related issues to info@eveforlife.org or write to Eve for Life, C/O Jamaica Observer.

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Why should I care when people choose to have unprotected sex?