The free condom initiative: promoting condom availability and use in New York City. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • In 2005, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) made free condoms available to organizations through a Web-based ordering system. In 2006, we interviewed managers and patrons about free condom availability, acquisition, and use in venues where people at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus congregate. DOHMH condom distribution increased from 5.8 million in 2004 to 17.3 million in 2006. Overall, managers reported making condoms available at 76% (309/409) of high-priority venues, but only at 40% of gay bars. Among patrons who saw free condoms, 80% (280/351) reported taking them; 73% (205/280) of those who reported taking them also reported using them. A simple, Web-based ordering system dramatically increased condom distribution. In the venues we sampled, the majority of patrons acquired and used free condoms when available and visible, suggesting that increasing free condom availability may increase use. Special efforts are needed to ensure availability at gay bars.

publication date

  • January 1, 2009

Research

keywords

  • Condoms
  • Health Promotion

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC2693161

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 68049101029

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1177/003335490912400404

PubMed ID

  • 19618784

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 124

issue

  • 4