Does a choice of condoms impact sexually transmitted infection incidence? A randomized, controlled trial

• Published in: Sexually transmitted diseases Vol. 33; no. 1; p. 31
• Main Authors: Steiner, Markus J, Hylton-Kong, Tina, Figueroa, J Peter, Hobbs, Marcia M, Behets, Frieda, Smikle, Monica, Tweedy, Katie, Powell, Sharon, McNeil, Linda, Brathwaite, Alfred
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.2006
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Chlamydia Infections - epidemiology; Chlamydia Infections - prevention & control; Condoms - classification; Condoms - statistics & numerical data; Gonorrhea - epidemiology; Gonorrhea - prevention & control; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - epidemiology; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - etiology; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - prevention & control; Trichomonas Infections - epidemiology; Trichomonas Infections - prevention & control
• ISSN: 0148-5717
• DOI: 10.1097/01.olq.0000187200.07639.c6

The objective of this study was to assess whether providing a choice of condoms would increase condom acceptability, increase self-reported use, and decrease incident sexually transmitted infection. We randomized 414 men presenting with urethral discharge in Jamaica to receive either the "standard" clinic condom or a choice of 4 different types of condoms. Men were treated presumptively at enrollment and followed up at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months. Participants in the choice group had a strong preference (P <0.01) for the most popular condom available in Jamaica. This preference did not translate into higher condom use (P = 0.16). The 6-month cumulative probability of first incidence of gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis was slightly higher in the choice group (21%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 15-28%) versus the control group (17%; 95% CI, 11-23%); the difference in the survival curves was not significant (P = 0.35). A choice of condoms may increase perceived acceptability but not lead to increased condom use and subsequently lower sexually transmitted infection rates.