Promoting Condoms in Clinics for Sexually Transmitted Infections

This is a guide to help STI programme planners and managers improve condom promotion among STI patients. It reviews the major areas in condom promotion for STI services including: creating a favourable environment; training service providers; counselling clients on condom use; managing condom supplies; and monitoring condom use.

Recognizing the significant role that condoms can play as a means of preventing STI (including HIV) transmission in risky sexual situations and condom programme activities as essential components of public health approaches to STI prevention and control, the guide urges health workers to take responsibility for actively promoting condom use on a regular basis by STI patients. These activities include: educating people about the need for condom use; ensuring condom availability; and providing support for condom use and condom programmes. Some additional resources and sample exercises are also outlined.