Dominican Republic and Mexico: Promote Condom Use by Emphasizing Personal Benefits

This two-page report from the Frontiers in Reproductive Health Program seeks to show how research conducted in the Dominican Republic and Mexico helped these countries better understand the reasons for a higher usage of condoms than in many other places. According to the study, condom use is measured by frequency and/or consistency of use. Study participants characterise "successful" condom use by assessing the personal goals of each user.

From 2001 to 2003, the Population Council, the Interagency Gender Working Group, and the Moriah Fund, supported these studies which took place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico to explore the behavior of individuals who use condoms successfully. As a result of their collaborative research, one recommendation is for condom use initiatives to promote the positive aspects of condom use as well as depict condom users as responsible role models.

The summary describes consistent and correct use of the male condom as a "critical measure for preventing STI-related morbidity and mortality." It also refers to the fact that many studies to date have identified various attitudes and beliefs that contribute to the failure of condom use or effectiveness.

Findings suggest that the major reason for women to use condoms is to prevent pregnancy while men are most concerned with preventing sexually transmitted diseases. Another main reason for condom use is the sense of security and peace of mind gained by both men and women.

Focus group participants suggested eroticising condom use and/or refusing sex without a condom. The findings described some participants as reluctant to bring up the issue of condoms with regular partners because it implies a lack of trust or infidelity. The report suggests that messages can be built such as “if you love yourself, you will use a condom.”