The Editor, Sir:

Esther Tyson's columns in The Sunday Gleaner reflect her passion for Christian values, morality and genuine concern for young people.

Her latest column is in effect to debunk the condom myth: that is 1) the 'misleading' approach of the Ministry of Education regarding contraceptives for students and 2) reminding the public that the condom is not the answer to our social ills such as child sexual abuse. She closed her column by alluding to the generally accepted belief among our people that children need protection for the mind. More school principals should get involved in these sexual and reproductive health issues of their students as she does. Esther Tyson is indeed a child advocate.

My concern though is that the last time she joined in setting moral standards, certain dancehall songs were banned from the airwaves. I am not implying causation. She seems to be treading on dangerous ground. If this is the signal she is sending to the Broadcasting Commission, then for the first time in the two years I have known her, she is making a mistake. Make no mistake people. Banning a condom public service announcement is one thing but banning the condom for young people based on moral grounds would be disastrous.

On Sunday, she criticised the "Pinch, leave an inch, and roll" public service announcement (PSA) that is currently being aired on local television stations. She stated that by listening to the PSA "you would have the impression that if only our people would use condoms when having sexual intercourse, then all our problems in that area would be solved". She said "the message is faulty and needs serious adjustment".

Delay gratification

I personally do not care for the 'advertisement' and I agree with some of the other points made in her column. For instance, she spoke of the need for young people to value themselves and to value others, understand that true love waits and delays gratification. I also agree with her that the condom is not the answer to the high level of of sexual abuse in Jamaica.

However, Mrs Tysons's article is misleading in other respects. She states that the new approach by the Ministry of Education to put in place a referral system for students to get contraceptives is misleading. As a leading high-school principal involved in influencing public opinion, she obviously lacks information this time around. The Ministry of Education and the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) should provide her with the relevant correct information.

She is also wrong when she implies that the condom cannot protect the youth from being infected with human papilloma virus (HPV). While it is not 100 per cent effective against HPV and herpes, it does in fact save lives (50 per cent according to Mrs Tyson's source - the NJ Physicians Advisory Group). While the condom is not a perfect barrier, that does not change the fact that condoms are effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections, including HIV (one of the world's most complex diseases).

Misleading statements

When it comes to disease spread, we should be thankful for any product that assists in the reduction of transmission. The National HIV/STI Prevention and Control Programme (NHCP) should in haste respond to Mrs Tyson's misleading statements to the nation.

In addition to abstinence and being faithful to an uninfected partner, the condom is the barrier of choice for smart, sexually active young persons who are responsible enough to prevent disease spread.

Before Tyson throws out the entire condom message for her 'values,' 'self control' and 'true love' messages, someone from the Ministry of Health's NHCP, the Ministry of Education and JYAN should rush over to Ardenne High School and educate her on the hard facts of teen sex in Jamaica.

If her school is typical of the population, there is about half of her students who are sexually active by grade nine despite Christian values, self-control sessions and their parents" abundant love. These children need access to comprehen-sive sex education and reproductive health services. And Mrs Tyson can help us.

I am, etc.,

ANN MARIE CAMPBELL

mar.campbellja@gmail.com