Dr. Figueroa's picture should be placed on the no shortage of condoms story.
caption: Chief of Epidemiology and AIDS - Dr. Peter Figueroa.

There is no shortage of condoms on the shelves of just about any kind of shop in Jamaica and of the 9.4 million condoms distributed in 2002 just about 70.0 per cent were purchased compared with 20.0 per cent in 1985. This means that individuals are taking the responsibility to purchase condoms rather than relying on free condoms distributed at health clinics and other outlets. Despite this achievement in sales and distribution levels, demand for condoms dropped slightly in the past few years.

"While condom sales and distribution have increased considerably from 2.5 million in 1995 to 10.2 million in 2001, there has been some decline in the past couple of years," confirmed Chief Epidemiology and AIDS, Dr. Peter Figueroa.

This downturn has implications for projections made by the National HIV/STI Control Programme for distribution of 15 million condoms every year, Dr. Figueroa disclosed recently. His comments followed the presentation of findings (March 5, 2004) from a condom distribution audit compiled by Hope Enterprises Limited on behalf of the national programme.

According to the study, demand for condoms declined by about 7.4 per cent in 2002 compared with 2001. Meanwhile over 10 million condoms were distributed during 2001 indicating an upward trend since the 9.3 million figure in 1994 and 9.7 million in 1995.

While demand is declining slightly, distribution levels for this safer sex product - the condom - continue to be high at certain traditional outlets. "All pharmacies, small shops, gas stations and street vendors had at least one brand available," the Hope Enterprises audit report revealed.

Checks at non-traditional outlets such as clubs, lounges and hotels, showed a 12 per cent decline in condom availability in 2002 compared with levels in 1999.

Identifying reasons for this decline and correcting them is important in addressing risk-taking sexual behaviour which tend to happen when people meet new sexual partners at such outlets.