Civil society movements, attending the seventh SA Aids conference in Durban, want African governments to distribute condoms in schools.

They claim that adolescents are left behind in the fight against Aids. It’s estimated that 139 000 young South Africans, mainly girls, contract HIV every year.

A lack of adequate information and protection tools are cited as some of the contributing factors. However, government and Aids lobby groups are at loggerheads about condom distribution at schools.

A government’s draft policy proposes a comprehensive health-care service.

Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) Portia Serote says: “Talking about this will never yield results as learners will not go to mobile clinics as some will know they are fetching condoms, testing for HIV or pregnancy.”

Dr Grandville Whittle of the Department of Basic Education says: “It’s just a draft and anyone is welcomed to make comments and that the closing date has been extended.”

Delegates have warned that if governments are not focusing on primary tools to fight Aids, they risk reversing all the gains made so far.

Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, on Tuesday launched the anti-HIV stigma Campaign at the same conference.

But the prevalence of HIV infections is highest among sex workers and truck drivers in Africa when compared to the general population. According to a study by the health network – North Star Alliance – the infection rate among sex workers and truck drivers is 40 percent.

By Linda Mgobhozi : SABC News