Getting condoms to those who need them most

Getting condoms to those who need them most
The rise in the need for condoms is fuelled by increasing HIV
prevalence in many developing countries, by large numbers of people
beginning sexual activity, and by a growing interest in contraceptive
use. However, sexually active young people (especially young women)
are regularly and repeatedly denied information about, and access to,
condoms. This means that misconceptions (such as the belief that
condoms do not protect against HIV infection) are not corrected.
If condoms are to be used at all, and especially if they are to be used
consistently, then it is clearly important that people have access to them
and that they be able to afford them. A reliable supply and distribution
system for those who need condoms is essential. Numerous surveys
cite non-availability of condoms at the time of sexual interactions as a
main reason for non-use 44.
Experience has shown that, when condoms are available and affordable,
people use them. Decreasing condom prices in Brazil in the early 1990s
resulted in a massive increase in the numbers of condoms purchased.
The increase in condom accessibility and availability promoted by
the Ford Foundation in South Africa (through mass distribution and
vending machines in workplace toilets) increased uptake 25-fold 45.
The gender aspects of condom use are undoubtedly the most difficult
hurdles to overcome. Until men and women share equal decisionmaking
power in their interpersonal relationships, the female
condom will provide women with greater opportunities for protecting
themselves from HIV and STIs than the male condom. Research studies
in South Africa, Thailand, the United States and Zambia indicate that
a greater number of sexual acts are protected when female condoms
Increasing
access to
condoms by
overcoming
supply
shortages,
reinforcing
promotion
strategies
and improving
distribution
systems is
absolutely vital
to success
against the
spread of HIV.
Making condoms work for HIV prevention:
Cutting-edge perspectives
25
are available as a supplement to male condoms, although more investigation is needed
to confirm these findings.