That would have been a pity because it was concluded in the Bulletin of the World Health Organisation vol.82 no.6 Genebra June 2004 which Dr Hui had mentioned that:

'Since 2000 important new evidence ... has come to light to support the effectiveness of condoms in preventing STIs in men and women. In no study has the effectiveness been 100%. Nonetheless, even partially effective interventions can have a major impact on controlling the spread of STIs in the population. Balanced STI and HIV prevention programmes should include condom promotion along with a complementary combination of prevention strategies targeted towards different age groups, life stages, epidemic levels and settings. Condom promotion represents an important component of comprehensive HIV-prevention and STI-prevention strategies." (Source: http://www.infoforhealth.org/pr/h9/h9chap4_2.shtml)

The same WHO report also cautioned that: 'Studies that do not adjust for the improper use of condoms could also underestimate the effectiveness of proper use." Since 'laboratory tests show that no STI, including HIV, can penetrate an intact latex condom" (Source: http://www.infoforhealth.org/pr/h9/h9chap4_2.shtml), there is no question about the effectiveness of the condom in preventing the spread of STIs.

It would appear that where STIs from an infected partner to a disease-free one resulted, it was because 'herpes, the genital wart virus HPV implicated in cervical cancer, and other STIs (were) transmitted through skin-to-skin contact between parts of the body not covered by condoms" (ibid) and not to the inherent limitation of the condom per se. Better education in this aspect would certainly help in the reduction of such forms of STIs.

In so far as slippage and breakage of condoms are concerned, better consumer education on its proper use and handling ought to be promoted for better effectiveness. To further improve the effectiveness of condoms, perhaps users could be encouraged to double the layers.

While morality based on religious doctrinaire conviction has a place in the wider society, there is a danger that undesired consequences could result due to the misinterpretation of the writer's limited perspective, even more so that he is a doctor.

Bin Hee Heng