ABSTRACT
In response to 1992 Department of Health guidance encouraging district health authorities to consider supplying condoms to GPs, and to interest and pressure from primary care teams, there have been a number of schemes for distributing condoms in general practice. Condom promotion is the major thrust of global AIDS prevention programmes, as condoms are the only products that offer protection against both pregnancy and infections. The ease of access to funds for condom distribution and actual condom supplies varies from area to area. It is likely to become harder as funding for HIV/AIDS work tightens up. Good publicity increases the number of patients who raise the issue of sexual health and condom use. Condom distribution can be used as an opportunity to give sexual health information in a number of ways: written leaflets, discussion and, where appropriate, a demonstration of condom use. Many people have misconceptions about how to use condoms.
