TANZANIA COMMISSION FOR AIDS - Global HIV M&E Information

• Avoidance of sharing semen through the proper and consistent use of a condom is
critical. It is important however, to note that the condom is not perfect and must be
used properly if it is to be effective. Both you and your partner must realize the
shortcomings of condoms.
• Fidelity-this requires commitment, establishing and maintaining caring and loving
relationships between partners, good communication patterns, and establishing a
strong value system.
Some important points about using a condom
• It must be in place before sexual intercourse begins
• There must be good lubrication so that it does not break
• Sexual intercourse must cease once there is ejaculation, so that there is no danger of
semen leakage
• You must be careful not to puncture the condom
• Be sure that the condom covers the entire penis and that it is carefully removed
immediately after ejaculation
• Leaving a condom in a wallet or warm place for a long time will cause
deterioration. If a condom sticks to itself, or is gummy or brittle, do not use it
• Condoms are generally not designed for and are prone to break during anal
intercourse
• Condoms occasionally fail (approximately less than 10 percent failure rate) due to
manufacturing defects but more often failure is due to improper use. Thus condoms
are not a foolproof guarantee of avoiding HIV/AIDS infection
• Despite all of the efforts to promote condom use for protection against HIV/AIDS
and other STDs, studies indicate that few people use condoms on a consistent and
regular basis.
• When one partner is HIV+ or has AIDS but the couple use a condom correctly and
consistently the transfer of HIV to the uninfected partner appears unlikely
Of the three strategies underscored above, the safest method of AIDS prevention
remains abstinence.
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