Every day, 6,800 people are infected with HIV. Many more are infected every day with other sexually transmitted infections, which can lead to serious illness, infertility, neonatal problems and cancer. These more common sexually transmitted infections also increase the likelihood of being infected with HIV.

Most sexually transmitted infections, and their high toll of death and disability, could be prevented with correct and consistent use of condoms. Indeed, male and female condoms are central to efforts to halt the spread of HIV by 2015, as called for in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

With the success of efforts to promote and distribute condoms has come a widening gap between the need for condoms and their supply, as shown in the table below.

Estimated Condom Requirements Compared with Actual Donor Support in 2000 (US$ millions)

Source: Global Estimates of Contraceptive Commodities and Condoms for STI/H\HIV Prevention 2000-2015, UNFPA, 2002.

* Some of the $268.9 million gap may in fact be covered by various other means including: more people buying condoms in the private sector; and/or increased spending by governments.

Giving Young People a Measure of Protection

Young people are especially vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases. More than half of the new cases of HIV are among young people. Many young people are still unaware of the risks of unprotected sex. Many who do understand the risks lack access to condoms, either because they are not available or not affordable.

Although most people become sexually active between 15 and 24 years of age, cultural and political issues sometimes make the provision of condoms to young people a sensitive topic. To prevent HIV/AIDS among sexually active youth, UNFPA supports programmes that make condoms available and affordable to sexually active young people aged 15 to 24. This would also help prevent the high rates of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion for young women in this age group.

Addressing both Supply and Demand

Supplying condoms is one part of a comprehensive strategic approach to reduce sexually transmitted infections including HIV. This approach, called condom programming, integrates various activities including condom promotion, communication for behavior change, market research, advocacy and coordinated management of supplies.

Depending on local conditions, condom programming might include community-based distribution coupled with campaigns to promote the value of condoms for dual protection (against infections and unwanted pregnancy). Demand stimulated through advocacy and communication must be complemented with a reliable supply, or the success of the effort -- and many lives -- may be jeopardized. Thus, forecasting need is crucial to the success of condom programming.

Female Condoms Give Women More Control

The female condom is the only currently available method for protection from sexually transmitted infection that women can initiate, and in some ways control. The female condom is gaining acceptance as an important choice for women and is included in UNFPA supplies of reproductive health commodities.

An innovative public/private partnership brokered by UNAIDS has made more than 19 million female condoms available at reduced cost in over 70 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Assuring Quality that People Can Count On

Because lives are at stake, the quality of condoms is a top priority for UNFPA. The Fund follows internationally recognized specifications. Manufacturers must be pre-qualified. Pre-shipment sampling and testing of condoms is a requirement for each and every batch. Developing countries are the suppliers for virtually all of the male condoms procured by UNFPA.

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