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. 2009 Jul-Aug;124(4):481-9.
doi: 10.1177/003335490912400404.

The free condom initiative: promoting condom availability and use in New York City

Tamar C Renaud  1 , Angelica Bocour, Mary K Irvine, Kyle T Bernstein, Elizabeth M Begier, Kent A Sepkowitz, Scott E Kellerman, Daniel Weglein
Affiliations

The free condom initiative: promoting condom availability and use in New York City

Tamar C Renaud et al. Public Health Rep. 2009 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

In 2005, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) made free condoms available to organizations through a Web-based ordering system. In 2006, we interviewed managers and patrons about free condom availability, acquisition, and use in venues where people at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus congregate. DOHMH condom distribution increased from 5.8 million in 2004 to 17.3 million in 2006. Overall, managers reported making condoms available at 76% (309/409) of high-priority venues, but only at 40% of gay bars. Among patrons who saw free condoms, 80% (280/351) reported taking them; 73% (205/280) of those who reported taking them also reported using them. A simple, Web-based ordering system dramatically increased condom distribution. In the venues we sampled, the majority of patrons acquired and used free condoms when available and visible, suggesting that increasing free condom availability may increase use. Special efforts are needed to ensure availability at gay bars.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Increase in number of condoms distributed following the expansion in June 2005 of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Free Condom Initiative
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of condoms by New York City neighborhood from July 2005 to June 2006
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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