ABSTRACT
Although primitive forms of the condom were employed as a means of pregnancy prevention over 3000 years ago (Finch and Green, 1963), its widespread use as an effective device for preventing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), particularly syphilis, during the past two centuries has made it highly controversial (Tanquary and Witte, 1990). In many countries with the start of the AIDS epidemic, the word condom has become a morally and emotionally loaded term with connotations of illicit sex. As a result, and despite great technological advances in the manufacture of inexpensive and reliable condoms during the second half of this century, their widespread use as a contraceptive has been hampered by their historical association with STD prevention. Indeed, before the advent of AIDS, an avowed concern with public morality and decency deterred some publicly funded family planning organizations from openly promoting condoms, or making them available at clinics. As a consequence, people seeking to use condoms had to overcome physical constraints regarding availability and cost, as well as barriers of fear, guilt and embarrassment associated with the taboo nature of the product. Later developments of effective and convenient contraceptives for use by women further undermined the need for the condom as a family planning method.
