Consistent condom use is essential for HIV

Address critical misperceptions. The correct and consistent use of condoms in
stable relationships continues to be a challenge. This issue, as well as the continued
promotion of condom use with casual partners, must be directly addressed. In addition
to promoting the use of condoms with regular partners through traditional mass media
and small media channels, it is important to reinforce it through voluntary counselling
and testing networks. Couples and others who may assume it is already too late to
adopt safer sexual practices must be encouraged and supported to use condoms through
post-test and ongoing counselling. Consistent condom use is essential for HIV-positive
persons who choose to remain sexually active.
HIV prevention programmes need to regularly draw from the findings of operational
research on how consistent condom use for key groups in different settings can be
achieved.
4. Draw on the synergistic interaction of interventions. With the continued rise in
the spread of the epidemic across all regions, HIV prevention programmes must include
a wide range and mix of interventions that are tailored to the country’s epidemiological
and cultural situation. This should include, but not be limited to, education on the
‘ABCs’ of prevention, treatment and care of STIs, voluntary counselling and testing
services, harm reduction, and addressing discrimination and stigmatization.
Promoting sexual abstinence or reduction in the number of sexual partners does not
preclude the promotion of condoms. All prevention programmes have the responsibility
to provide people with complete and accurate information so that they are able to make
informed choices. Providing accurate information includes avoiding overstating the
effectiveness of condoms, such as saying that sex with a condom is “safe sex” (instead
of “safer sex”), and telling the truth about condoms (i.e., that they are highly effective
when used correctly and consistently).
Successful programmes that encourage delayed sexual onset and partner reduction can
also help people to be aware of the importance of condom use whenever they do not
meet these objectives. Monitoring the outcomes of these programmes can provide useful
insights for optimal calibration of the mix of prevention interventions.