February 13th marks the International Condom Day. When used correctly, condoms are highly effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Condoms should be used during vaginal, oral and anal intercourse and when sharing sex toys.
Over the years, the Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (ISPUP) has published several studies demonstrating the low use of condoms, particularly in risk groups. In this article, we mention some of the studies that have been published.
- The Lisbon Cohort of men who have sex with men: this article shows that more than 20% of the men who have sex with men belonging to the Lisbon MSM Cohort reported not having used a condom in the last sexual encounter and that almost half (46%) said they had not used a condom consistently in the last 12 months.
- HIV Infection, risk factors and health services use among male-to-female transgender sex workers: a cross-sectional study in Portugal: this study, focusing on transgender sex workers, found that 12% of those who participated in the research reported not having used condoms consistently with clients in the last month. It was also found that approximately 15% reported living with HIV, and of these, over 22% reported having had unprotected sex with clients in the last month. In addition, over 26% had unprotected sex with partners (without payment) in the last year.
- Cruising Venues as a Context for HIV Risky Behavior Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: The research studied about a thousand men who have sex with men in Portugal and found that approximately 19% used condoms inconsistently with unusual partners. Over 23% reported having unprotected anal intercourse with a partner whose HIV status was unknown.
- Risk-taking behaviours and HIV infection among sex workers in Portugal: results from a cross-sectional survey: The research involved over one thousand sex workers in Portugal, and found that 9% of women, 27% of men and 19% of transgender women reported inconsistent condom use with clients in the last month.
- HIV testing among Portuguese men who have sex with men–results from the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS): This study, focused on the results of the 2010 EMIS (European Men who have Sex with Men Internet Survey) in Portugal, showed that 41% of men who have sex with men who have never been tested for HIV infection mentioned having had unprotected anal sex in the last 12 months. It was also found that of the participants living with HIV who had detectable viral load or were unaware of their HIV status, 38% reported at least one episode of unprotected anal intercourse with a partner whose HIV status was unknown or serodiscordant in the past 12 months.
- Book “Sida em Meio Prisional” (Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation): the book, focused on the population of the Prison Establishments of Tires and Montijo, found that 25% of men surveyed reported never using or rarely using condoms and that 51.8% of women never used or rarely used this method of contraception. It was also found that 54.5% of men did not use the condom in the last sexual intercourse with a non-regular partner and that 63.5% of women did not use either.
Image: Unsplash/Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition
