by jamal siddiqui
Published on: Aug 8, 2006
Topic:
Type: Opinions

In the present scenario, we need universal access to condoms because they protect people from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, empower women, protect unwanted pregnancies while saving lives.

But there are certain factors and barriers in universally availability & accessibility of condoms like:

Quantity of funding inadequate from governments:
In 2004-05 donor governments provided just under 4 male condoms per man per year to the developing world. The donors represent only 25% of global contraceptives sales; the rest is made up of country governments, purchased on the commercial markets, or sold at subsidized levels by social marketing organizations. Developing country governments equally fail to adequately prioritise condom purchase in their budgets.

Quality of funding inadequate:
When money is allocated for condom purchase it may not be used efficiently and a lack of coordinated action by donors results in separate procurement and other inefficiencies. Funding is often also unreliable over time, which results either in stock-outs or large numbers of supplies sitting in warehouse for long periods of time past their expiry date. There are also problems with health systems being able to efficiently use the money due to inadequate information systems, weak supply chains, and poor transportation.

Conservative opinion:
Condom promotion has been opposed by a range of different conservative sources: community, religious and political. Some groups are against condoms under almost all circumstances and others are more squeamish about condoms under particular circumstances.

Poor links between HIV and Family Planning sectors:
Despite their common linkage of sex, historically the HIV community and the FP community have not worked optimally together. This has been a significant barrier to condoms being promoted for both pregnancy prevention and disease protection. The DFID recently studied the contraceptive situation in some countries and found there were, in general, weak linkages between agencies procuring condoms for HIV prevention and those procuring them for family planning. This not only sends out a confusing message as to the benefits of condoms but it is clearly also inefficient procurement.

Acceptability of condoms by users:
Men are often reluctant to use condoms, particularly in a stable relationship. It is not uncommon for women to face violence from their partners when they suggest condom use. This may be partly because of a perceived decrease in sexual pleasure when using a condom or from fear that the fidelity of the relationship is being called into question.

Accessibility of condoms by users:
Finally, a number of further factors may prevent individuals from accessing condoms like price, unfriendly service providers, distance to nearest outlets, pressure from family to use them, and ignorance. Female condoms are even less available than male condoms partly because they are significantly more expensive etc.

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