Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - July 15, 2005
Apiradee Treerutkuarkul
While more than 200 participants at a national conference on Aids - mostly young students and parents - agreed with the idea, believing the machines would help reduce the HIV infection rate, academics were hesitant.
"It doesn't mean that we encourage students to have sex at an early age by selling condoms at educational institutions. But they should be aware of the risk that they could be infected with HIV/Aids if they do not wear protection," Yupaporn Olarikaphan, a nurse and a mother of two children from Ratchaburi told a seminar on the issue.
Chaturon Kurasawaeng, a second-year-student at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, also supported the idea.
However, Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, Thammasat University's assistant rector for student affairs, said it was inappropriate to promote condom sales on campus.
"There are many ways for health officials to educate teens about sex. But selling condoms on campus such as they do in Western countries is too much to accept here," he said.
Chavanee Tongroach, vice-president for research and development at Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, which hosted the conference, said she was not sure the university committee would agree if health officials proposed putting in machines as one way of curbing an increase in HIV infections among the target group.
About 80,000 young people in Thailand have been infected with HIV/Aids and at least 600 new cases are found each year.
Praphan Phanuphak, director of the Thai Red Cross Society's Aids Research Centre, said young people's attitudes towards sex at an early age had changed.
Many students aged below 17 now have experience of sexual relationships, usually one-night stands, despite lacking appropriate knowledge and understanding of safe sex, resulting in a rise in infections in this group.
050715
BP050703
Copyright © 2005 - The Bangkok Post. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Bangkok Post.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .