International Journal of STD & AIDS > Volume 17, Number 10 > Pp. 652-659

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A review of female-condom effectiveness: patterns of use and impact on protected sex acts and STI incidence

Gowri Vijayakumar, Zonke Mabude, Jenni Smit, Mags Beksinska and Mark Lurie

Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit, Durban, South Africa; Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit, Durban, South Africa; Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit, Durban, South Africa; Brown Medical School, Department of Community Health, Providence, RI, USA

We conducted a systematic review of 137 articles and abstracts related to various aspects of the female condom, as well as a closer analysis of five randomized controlled trials on effectiveness. These five studies indicated strongly the benefits of female-condom use in increasing protected sex acts, and two studies found promising decreases in sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence with the introduction of the female condom. Ten studies provided detailed information on patterns of long-term use, many suggesting that the female condom reaches women less likely to use other dual protection methods. There exists limited but convincing evidence that the female condom is effective in increasing protected sex and decreasing STI incidence among women. Future research on the female condom must move away from assessing acceptability and focus on assessing effectiveness and improving impact in diverse settings.

Key Words: FEMALE CONDOM EFFECTIVENESS • DUAL PROTECTION • BARRIER METHODS

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