We should concerned with what might be called primary behavior change. Examples of this arefidelity to a single partner, sexual abstinence, or young people “delaying” the age at which theybegin to have sexual intercourse. It is useful to distinguish these behavioral changes fromcondom use or treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), both of which are “harmreduction” approaches. The latter are more passive than the former, and arguably involve less ofa personal commitment to fundamental change of behaviors.If we consider the simple ABC approach to AIDS prevention to which lip service has long paid(Abstain, Be faithful, use Condoms if A&B fail), it is clear that the vast majority of preventionresources have gone to condom promotion, and more recently, to the treatment of the treatableSTDs. Few in public health circles really believed or even believe nowadays that programspromoting abstinence, fidelity or monogamy, or even reduction in number of sexual partners, pay
