Condoms

Condoms, when used correctly and consistently, are among the most effective method of preventing most sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV and unplanned pregnancies and the only method of contraception that can do both.

External condoms (otherwise known as male condoms) are used during oral, anal or vaginal sex.

Internal condoms (otherwise known as female condoms) are used internally during vaginal or anal sex.

External and internal condoms, when used correctly and consistently, effectively break the chain of STIs transmission and are cost-effective.

Fact sheet

Condom programming and interventions continue to be the cornerstone of HIV and STI combination prevention packages and therefore require dedicated and renewed attention. Comprehensive condom programming is a strategy that addresses both supply and demand and should be built around key principles.

These include but are not limited to:

• universally available and accessible quality-assured condoms (e.g., easily accessible condom dispensing mechanisms offered free of charge or at low cost, etc.);
• promotion and communication interventions that are innovative, context-appropriate and people-centered to support consistent and correct use;
• training of health care workers particularly community health workers to provide unbiased sexual and reproductive health information, including understanding that inconsistent use of condoms is not always an individual choice or the wrong choice; and
• address individual, programmatic and environmental factors (e.g., socio-cultural, economic and political) that shape and constrain condom use.

With the rapid expansion and access to online information, condom programming associated with family planning and HIV/STI services, including pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV (PrEP) services, can utilize innovative ways to increase uptake.

Nevertheless, condom programming will not reach its full potential to prevent unplanned pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections without adequate investment to cover current demand and generate new demand. A focus is required on marginalized populations and those at higher risk of infection whose condom use remains lower than in other populations.

Condoms and lubricants should always be offered together with PrEP. Condoms are a cheap and effective prevention method for most STIs and unplanned pregnancy, as PrEP only prevents HIV infection. 

However, it is important to consider that many people on PrEP have adopted this HIV prevention method as they did not use condoms consistently. Evidence also suggests that people on PrEP are unlikely to change sexual practices regarding condom use after starting to take PrEP. Non-judgmental counselling should be provided to support condom use to prevent other STIs. Counselling should not attempt to change people’s behaviour, as it has been shown to be ineffective to increase condom use and decrease HIV infections at population level.

Innovative/alternative approaches, such as the Pleasure Project, to increase condom use are urgently needed. 

While access to internal and external condoms has been critical in the global response to reduce unplanned pregnancies, HIV and other STIs over the past 3 decades, these gains could be lost if condoms are not included in the essential commodities that are freely available and accessible to populations during emergency lockdowns (For more information: UNAIDS, Condoms and lubricants in the time of COVID-19).

General information

Global HIV Prevention Coalition

Condom promotion: Toolkit

Fact sheets

Related health topics