Headline: Where AIDS Galloped, Lessons in Applying the Reins
New York Times, May 18, 2006
By Celia Dugger

An apparent decline in HIV infection in Kenya and the possible role of a PSI abstinence campaign in changing behavior were examined in an article in the New York Times written by Celia W. Dugger. The article describes how PSI organizes abstinence clubs for 10- to 15-year-olds with funding from the U.S. government. This year, the U.S. "will spend $15.7 million on programs that promote abstinence and faithfulness, and $7.8 million to prevent sexual transmission of HIV, including distribution of condoms to high-risk groups," writes Dugger.

Although PSI youth volunteers do not teach about condoms in these clubs, they do answer questions. Terry Mathenge, a 19-year-old PSI volunteer in a Nairobi school, said she answered directly when a 10-year-old girl who'd been slapped by a parent for asking about condoms repeated the question at a club meeting. "It's better to tackle it head-on," Mathenge said, adding that abstinence is important. "In the past, the voice of condoms was louder than the voice of abstinence, and I'm glad that's changing."

"Among those listening to her one recent afternoon in Nairobi was Michael Gerson, an evangelical Christian and a close adviser to President Bush," writes Dugger. "He told the young people assembled that the American debate was polarized between those who favored abstinence only and those who said the promotion of abstinence was naïve. "It seems like you're saying it's neither," he told Ms. Mathenge."

Gerson also said that the best programs set an ideal, but are realistic "and deal with young people where they are, and sometimes that includes condoms."