Original research articlesSafety and acceptability of a baggy latex condom
Introduction
When used consistently and correctly, the latex condom provides good protection against unintended pregnancy and against infection with sexually-transmitted pathogens, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).1 Despite large-scale efforts to encourage safer sex, consistent condom use is not widely practiced.2, 3, 4, 5 For example, the latex condom was used as a contraceptive by only 19% of US women 15–44 years of age who were at risk for pregnancy in the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth.3 The most common complaints among users are that condoms interrupt lovemaking and reduce sensation.6 Thus, the design and production of more acceptable condoms may play an important role in the promotion of condom use to larger segments of the population. Loose-fitting condoms seem to reduce interference with sensation during intercourse and may be more acceptable.1 We report the results of a phase I study of the acceptability and safety of a new baggy condom, compared with a standard straight-shaft condom.
Section snippets
Study design and procedures
To compare the newly designed baggy condom (X) with a straight-shaft, control condom (S) produced by the same manufacturer, we designed a prospective evaluation, according to a randomized cross-over design, of couples who used both condom types. A couple was eligible for participation in the study if the following conditions were met: 1) the woman’s age was 18–47 years; 2) the couple was in a mutually monogamous relationship during the previous 6 months; 3) the couple was using a method of
Recruitment and follow up
The target number of eligible couples was successfully achieved by both centers, and eligibility and baseline data were available for all couples. Each couple, identified by a number from 1 to 104, was randomly pre-assigned to a sequence of condom use (ie, X-S or S-X). The list of assignments was compared with the use sequence reported by the participants. Discrepancies in the data that suggested protocol deviations were discussed with the clinical staff, and were resolved or confirmed after
Discussion
In the experience of the couples who participated in the study, the baggy condom was indistinguishable from a standard straight-shaft latex condom with respect to breakage, slippage, and other reported adverse effects.
The rates of condom breakage and slippage are compatible with the relatively wide range of findings reported by other investigators,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 who have reported breakage rates of 0.1–7.3% and slippage rates of 0.1–6.6%. We recently
Acknowledgements
This research project was carried out under contract with the manufacturer, who wishes to remain anonymous.
References (25)
- et al.
Condom use and breakage among women in a municipal hospital family planning clinic
Contraception
(1991) - et al.
Breakage and slippage of condoms in family planning clients
Contraception
(1994) - et al.
Male condoms
- et al.
Antibody testing and condom use among heterosexual African-Americans at risk for HIV infectionThe National AIDS Behavioral Surveys
Am J of Public Health
(1997) - et al.
Fertility, family planning and women’s healthNew data from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth
Vital Health Stat
(1997) - et al.
Private sexual behavior, public opinion, and public health policy related to sexually transmitted diseasesA US-British comparison
Am J Public Health
(1998) - et al.
Behaviors of heterosexual sexually transmitted disease clinic patients with sex partners at increased risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection
Sex Transm Dis
(1997) Consumers Union. Can You Rely On Condoms?
Consumer Reports
(1989)- et al.
Standardized protocols for condom breakage and slippage trialsa proposal
Am J Public Health
(1994) - et al.
Analysis of Longitudinal Data
(1994)
Bowker’s test for symmetry
J Am Stat Assoc
How often do condoms break or slip off in use?
Int J STD AIDS
Cited by (9)
Male and female condoms: Their key role in pregnancy and STI/HIV prevention
2020, Best Practice and Research: Clinical Obstetrics and GynaecologyCitation Excerpt :Flared condoms are wider at the base and have a contoured head, allowing more space for the head of the penis and a closer fit as the condom indents below the head of the penis. Male baggy condoms may offer greater stimulation to the partner and more room and comfort for the penis, and have been found to be more acceptable than standard fitted condoms [40,41] (Fig. 2). Female condoms are not fitted, and therefore, their shapes are very similar [22].
A crossover comparison of two types of female condom
2010, International Journal of Gynecology and ObstetricsCitation Excerpt :We report a cumulative clinical breakage rate of 3.6% for the Femidom and 2.9% for the Phoenurse FCs, and we cannot conclude that the cumulative clinical breakage rate was higher in our study than in other studies. Breakage rates for the latex MC have been reported to range nearly from 1.0% to 2.0% [15,16]. In our study the cumulative clinical breakage was not significantly different for the Femidom and the Phoenurse FCs, and it meets the WHO standard for the MC.
Who/united nations population fund (UNFPA) technical specification for male latex condoms
2019, WHO Drug InformationCondom use errors and problems: A global view
2012, Sexual HealthUpdate on adolescent condom use
2011, Current Opinion in Obstetrics and GynecologyA systematic review of randomised controlled trials of interventions promoting effective condom use
2011, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health