New Mexico School Board Member Draws Criticism Over Condom Comments

An Albuquerque, N.M., Public School board member's recent comments that condoms can increase users' risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections are drawing criticism from local physicians and advocates, the Albuquerque Journal reports. The issue arose during a school board discussion about changes to the district's policy on school-based health clinics (Uyttebrouck, Albuquerque Journal, 9/17).

The school district recently modified its policy on distributing contraceptives on school grounds, KOAT reports. Many APS schools have on-site health clinics run by physicians who are not employed by the district. APS Superintendent Winston Brooks said the revised policy "clarifies that APS employees cannot distribute condoms but that we're not going to interfere in the doctor-patient relationship." He added that although state law does not allow schools to interfere with the relationship under any circumstance, some parents were concerned (KOAT, 9/17).

Last week, while the board was discussing the policy change, APS Board Member David Robbins criticized the effectiveness of condoms to prevent transmission of HIV and other STIs. Robbins said he found references to studies on an abstinence website that suggest some pores in latex condoms are large enough to allow viruses to pass through, although he did not cite any specific studies. He said, "The public has been misled to believe by too many public health officials that condoms equal safe sex," adding, "They do not."

Bruce Trigg, medical director of the New Mexico Department of Health's STI program, said Robbins' comments are of "great concern," adding, "Every major medical and public health organization in the world supports condom use as the main protection against HIV" (Albuquerque Journal, 9/17). Barry Ramo, a physician and medical consultant to KOAT, said viruses cannot pass through condoms, adding that Robbins' remarks are "irresponsible and they are wrong" (KOAT, 9/17).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website, "studies have demonstrated that latex condoms provide an essentially impermeable barrier" to STIs, including HIV. CDC's website also says that condoms, "when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV" (Albuquerque Journal, 9/17).