Free condoms fail to halt HIV rise

Free condoms are failing to stop the spread of HIV because users end up having more sex, it was claimed yesterday.

The sheaths are not 100 per cent effective, even when used properly, US researchers found.

Instead, the spread of the virus is a behavioural problem, said Harvard researcher Dr Edward Green. He added: 'Having multiple sexual partners drives Aids epidemics.'

After studying the number of condoms available in many African countries, he added: 'We are not seeing what we expected - that higher levels of condom availability result in lower HIV prevalence.'

However, in Uganda, which promotes abstinence and faithfulness, there has been a 75 per cent decline in HIV rates among 15-19-year-olds, research showed.