Tendai Franklyn-Brown, Gleaner Writer

Thirty per cent of Jamaicans do not use a condom during sexual intercourse, a Ministry of Health report has revealed.

The findings of the report coincide with the observation of this week as Safe Sex Week. This year's activities are centred around the theme: 'Condom is a mus'. Know yu' status'.

Figures from the ministry indicate that approximately 10 million condoms were sold in 2006, which showed a 7.5 million increase, in comparison to the 2.5 million sold in the previous year.

The United Nations AIDS programme (UNAIDS) estimated that 210,000-270,000 people were living with HIV in the Caribbean, with 17,000 new infections reported in 2007. This is a decrease when compared with figures from 2001 when 20,000 new infections were recorded.

Grave concern

Although 2006 statistics from the ministry showed that the HIV epidemic has stabilised in recent years, a health official has expressed grave concern for the vast numbers who are still engaging in unprotected sex.

"We have to be addressing what we need to do to really get these persons to use condoms. The first thing you have to do is figure out who they are," said Carla Moore, behaviour change communication officer for National HIV/STI Programme in the Ministry of Health and Environment.

Records show that for all AIDS cases reported in Jamaica from 1982-2006, 88 per cent were in the 20-60-year-old age group. However, persons aged 20-49 accounted for 74 per cent of those infections.

National activities involving community outreach programmes will be held in Portmore, St Catherine, with personnel from the Ministry of Health and Environ-ment in Gregory Park and Braeton on February 14 and 15.

"At these events, we will be offering free HIV testing, in addition to inviting empowerment organisations ... . These are tangible organisations that offer tangible services that persons can use to empower and better themselves," Moore stressed.