Major
source of transmission of HIV in our country is heterosexual contact.
Proper & consistent use of condoms is one of the means to prevent
HIV transmission. For a person already infected with HIV, condom
use is still very important, both to avoid transmission to the
partner as well as reinfection by HIV which leads to serious situation.
It is therefore necessary to sensitize people for using condoms
for family planning as well as to prevent transmission of HIV
and STD, and make the good quality condoms easily available at
all places.
Objectives
To
ensure easy access to good quality condoms through regular sales, social
marketing and free distribution for promoting safe sex practices. Strategies
Strengthening
the existing structure of condom distribution of Department
of family welfare, through social marketing with a view
to fulfil the needs and requirements of the AIDS control
programme.
Strengthening
the management ability of NGOs that promote and make available
condoms for STD/HIV prevention, and to effectively plan,
coordinate, monitor and evaluate their activities.
Developing
focussed IEC for promoting condom use among General Population
and High Risk Groups (HRG).
Activities
in Madhya Pradesh
Condoms
have been made available at Targeted Intervention Projects
for social marketing.
Special
IEC campaign for emphasizing role of condom promotion
in prevention of HIV /AIDS in collaboration with NGOs
& other departments.
Sensitization
of Health workers for use of condoms for prevention of
HIV infection. Social Marketing has been accepted as the
most effective strategy for condom promotion. This strategy
not only helps to increase the acceptability but also
provides easy access to the users while improving the
sustainability of condom provision.
Training
of NGOs for strengthening capacity of NGO to respond to
social marketing of condoms.
Facts
about condom use
Laboratory studies
have shown that latex condoms are effective mechanical barriers
to HIV and other STIs.
HIV-Sero positivity
rates are lower among people using condoms.
Consistent use
of condoms considerably reduces the risk of HIV transmission.
Lubricated Condoms
to be always used.
If lubricant
required, then water based lubricants should be used.
