No matter how effective

No matter how effective condoms may be, they can have little impact
in preventing HIV if people do not use them. There is growing
evidence that in key populations at higher risk of HIV exposure, such as
men who have sex with men (MSM) and sex workers and their clients,
people can be persuaded to use condoms. In these groups, both increases
Condoms are
about 90%
effective when
used correctly
and consistently.
If the risk of
transmission
is one in
500 without
a condom,
it would be
reduced to one
in 5000 when a
condom is used.
Making condoms work for HIV prevention:
Cutting-edge perspectives
17
in condom use and high rates of condom use have been documented. Global experience
shows that the use of condoms is often not consistent, whether in the general population,
among persons in steady relationships, or in key populations at risk of HIV infection.