HIV/AIDS prevention programmes in western Jamaica are being well received by members of the public, but they are still being hampered by a "casual" attitude towards sex.

According to Cheryl Belcher-Peart, regional HIV prevention technical officer, Montegonians are particularly laid-back.

"This is anecdotal, but casual sex is very prevalent - issues with sex in general," she said.

One challenge

Christopher Fogo, regional behaviour change communication coordinator, said this is only one challenge the Ministry of Health experiences in western Jamaica. "Some people believe that they can't get HIV," he said. "They think that they know their partner well, so condom use is inconsistent. Some start with the condom and then take it off."

In addition to this, the interventions are also held back by transportation problems, particularly when the teams have to go outside of Montego Bay and in the rural areas. The violence in several communities is also a hindrance, as "when the areas are tense, people on the ground can't work comfortably," Mr. Fogo said.

However, he notes that pharmacies and stores report high condom sales, and the St. James Health Department provides condoms to the public as part of its interventions.

The Health Department continues to carry out its various intervention programmes in St. James and elsewhere in the western region with the help of several local radio and cable stations, which, Mrs. Belcher-Peart said, helps to publicise their events and programmes.

- T.W.