Tracing Condom Fates: Design and Pilot Results of a Study Investigating the Use and Wastage of Public Sector Condoms

There is little understanding of what proportion of condoms distributed to the public in South Africa is ever used in sex and what proportion is wasted. This study presents the methodology and pilot results for research into the fate of condoms as well as factors associated with condom use and wastage. Pilot research was conducted in the Boland/Overberg region of South Africa during June and July 1998. Individuals procuring condoms were recruited into a prospective cohort that participated in follow-up interviews over the following six weeks to report on the fate of the condoms they procured and their sexual behaviour. By the end of the six week study period, 52% of condoms procured from these clinics had been used in sex, 2% were broken in sex, 14% were given away before use, 8% were discarded before use, and 24% went unused. While these pilot results must be viewed tentatively, this pilot study presents an innovative methodology for research into the use and wastage of condoms.