Mexico Campaign Promotes Use of Condoms Against AIDS

MEXICO CITY – The AIDS Healthcare Foundation and the Mexico City government presented the campaign “Love Condoms” in an attempt to have people get rapid AIDS testing and use condoms.

“It’s vital to give away condoms free and provide rapid AIDS testing in open spaces outside of hospitals,” said Patricia Campos, head of the Latin American office of the U.S.-based foundation.

That was the immediate goal behind the launch of “Love Condoms,” whose principal objective is the distribution of 10 million condoms around the world before year’s end and in that way get the greatest possible number of people tested for the disease.

The organizers hoped to perform 500 free tests Friday in tents set up for that purpose in the Mexican capital.

Also present was Mexico’s national gay soccer squad, whose members joined in the campaign for using condoms, while the whole team promised to be tested.

The campaign is particularly focused on the gay community, a group with one of the highest rates of AIDS infection.

“If we combine prevention, early detection and treatment of people with AIDS in a consistent and permanent way, we will do our part in controlling transmission of the disease in the most effective way,” Campos said.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the biggest organization in the fight against AIDS in the United States and provides support and medical attention for more than 100,000 people in over 50 clinics in 21 countries.