HIV infection has become more common among Taiwanese teens and young adults despite a drop in the total number of cases according to the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC). On October 2, 2011, Taiwan CDC held an event in Taipei to promote safe sex among young people during which more than 200 condoms were given away.

Over 90 percent of the young HIV carriers contracted the disease through unsafe sex, Taiwan CDC pointed out. A study found that 60 percent of local people do not use condoms during their first sexual experience.

"We therefore want to take this opportunity to promote the importance of condom use among young people," Taiwan CDC Deputy Director-General Shih Wen-yi said at the event, adding that having sex without proper precautions carries the risk of becoming infected with HIV. Taiwan's efforts to combat AIDS-related diseases has brought the number of HIV-infected cases down from a peak of 3,380 in 2005 to 1,796 in 2010, Mr. Shih went on.

Citing unsafe sex as the main cause of HIV transmission, Ms. Chen Ching-hui -- an obstetrics and gynecology attending physician at Taipei Medical University Hospital who attended the event -- called for young people to use condoms and use them correctly when having sex.

In addition, Ms. Chen reminded young adults that using condoms is not only a way to prevent pregnancy, but more importantly, it is an effective method of preventing sexually transmitted diseases.

Meanwhile, Lucifer Chu, dubbed a local opinion leader on the Internet, demonstrated the five steps for correctly using condoms and shared tips on carrying them without being noticed and embarrassed at the event.

As a father, Mr. Chu also urged parents to be open-minded about their children's questions about sex. “Don't think they are too young to understand”, he said.

This year’s World AIDS Day theme is “Getting to Zero”, Mr. Shih added, Taiwan CDC is working in line with the theme and trying to further improve Taiwan’s HIV prevention efforts and participate more in the global HIV response.