Abstract
The aim of this study is to elucidate and review the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among condom users. Men and women of reproductive age are the subjects of this study. Data were extracted from the literature through the MEDLINE service for the period 2000–2006. Female condoms (0.1%) were reported to be less liable to break than male condoms (3.1%), while slippage occurs more often with female condoms (5.6%) than with male condoms (1.1%). The nonlatex condoms have a higher frequency of breakage or slippage during intercourse or withdrawal (4%) than latex ones (1.3%). Adolescents having multiple sexual partners and/or having sex with someone they met on that same day are about 80% more likely to report condom failure. Condom breakage or slippage is associated with never having received instructions on correct condom use, more than one sexual partner and more frequent condom use. Ineffective condom use is common among young adults. A younger age, primary partner, lack of partner support, multiple recent sexual partners and use of condoms for contraception are positively associated with delayed condom use. However, condoms do offer 30–90% protection against STIs and HIV passed in the semen and 0–30% protection against diseases due to skin-to-skin contact. This inversely implies that there is always a risk of contacting Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV, or genital herpes and warts even when using a condom during sexual intercourse. Only correct – rather than consistent – condom use reduces the risk of STIs and HIV during intercourse. Therefore, condom users need to be cautioned that some risks are involved with the use of this method.
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