Catalonia to Put Condom Vending Machines in Schools

Schools in Spain are to defy the rulings of the Roman Catholic church by installing condom vending machines in an attempt to control the spread of HIV among a generation who think the disease is no longer a threat.

A decision yesterday by the regional government of Catalonia, in north-west Spain, to start installing the machines came after figures showed a surge in the number of young mothers turning up at local hospitals with the virus.

"We have clear signs that less safe sex is being practised, as if Aids was no longer a problem," said Marina Geli, the region's director of health.

But the move came as a direct challenge to the church. Cardinal Alfonso Pérez Trujillo, a Vatican figure visiting Spain this week, has accused those promoting the use of condoms of playing russian roulette with the health of young people, and has lashed out at what he called the "condom festivals" supported by public authorities. "The risk of contracting Aids when using a condom is still 1.5%," he said. "If you practise sex 100 times with a condom, then that possibility reaches 30%. Chastity is a great value, including for health."

The surge in HIV among the young, especially women, in Catalonia had become one of the main challenges for local health authorities. One in 75 mothers under 20 has been infected, according to tests carried out on 50% of new-born babies in Catalonia.

The vending machines, like those installed by the regional government in universities, libraries and sports clubs, will sell condoms at half-price.

The final decision on whether to have them in any particular school will be up to a managing committee made up of staff and parents. The plan, which includes a sex education programme, was broadly welcomed by parents.

"Everything that adds to the education of the young and to the information available to them is welcome," said Lola Abelló of the Federation of Associations of Parents of Schoolchildren in Catalonia.

But previous attempts to install the machines were shelved several years ago after they provoked indignation among conservative parents and the refusal of church-run schools to allow them on their premises.