Introduction: making condoms

Introduction: making condoms work for HIV prevention
Condoms play an important role in HIV prevention. The question is not whether
condom promotion is a successful public health strategy for HIV prevention but
how to effectively position the use of condoms within a comprehensive HIV prevention
strategy. Condom programming1 is an integral component in a range of prevention
strategies which include informed, responsible and safer sexual behaviour exemplified
by delayed age of onset of sexual activity, abstinence, condom use and reduction in the
number of sexual partners.
Analysis of the scientific literature on condoms and HIV prevention2 and study of the
experiences of various prevention programmes show that, to achieve the full prevention
potential that condoms offer, four critical elements must be addressed.
These are:
• realizing that there are interactions between condom promotion, including
condom social marketing and peer-based condom education, and other
prevention strategies;
• understanding and correctly communicating information on the effectiveness
of condoms;
• convincing people to use condoms when they are needed and to do so
consistently and correctly; and
• ensuring a sufficient and regular supply of condoms for those who require them.
This document draws attention to insights in these areas gained from both studies and
programme experiences. The policy and programme implications of these insights can
assist AIDS programme providers, decision-makers with particular responsibilities
in condom programming, and key community leaders who influence decisions on
reproductive health in their constituencies to position condom use optimally within
overall prevention programming.