The use of condoms by VD clinic patients. A survey.

The use of the condom, as a prophylactic agent against the transmission of venereal disease, is considered an effective method of disease prevention. The importance of initiating free condom distribution programs needs, however, to be demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to estimate and determine if VD clinic patients use condoms and would accept free condoms as disease prevention devices. The reasons why venereal disease patients use or do not use condoms were also established. The findings indicated a generally favorable attitude about condom usage, although a greater number of patients viewed the condom primarily as a contraceptive device. The major objection to the use of the condom was that it "lowered satisfaction." The majority of patients, however, stated that they would use free condoms if they were made available from a VD clinic. Both the survey and the condom distribution program exemplify the need for educational programs to encourage public awareness about the use of condoms as a preventive against sexually transmitted diseases.