Jim Shelton's Pearls

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May 01, 2001

Demand for Condoms

You continue to stress the importance of condoms, especially the number of condoms needed to close the condom gap in Africa. But what about "demand" for condoms, isn't that important also?

Yes, definitely. It is important to ask: Will people actually use condoms if they are available and promoted? In my view the fact that a good number of African countries are programming over 10 condoms per man 15-59 and some are over 20 (versus the average of 4 or so for Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole) through a combination of approaches including public-sector and social marketing, is a good indication of huge unmet demand. If the leading countries can do it, so can others. In addition, there is substantial evidence that peer-mediated prevention programs (for example with sex workers) can achieve high levels of condom use.

But such efforts require effective programming. Indeed, the funding of the commodity is a crucial element, but the hardest part of closing the condom gap is effective programming, including promotion and wide availability. (The same could be said of HIV drugs and many other interventions.) We know effective programming models for prevention. The challenge is doing it.

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The "Pearls" offer answers to commonly asked questions about family planning. These "Pearls" are prepared by Dr. James D. Shelton, Senior Medical Scientist, Office of Population, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

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