Breakage and slippage of condoms in family planning clients.

Information was obtained from 540 clients on the 3,754 occasions when condoms were used over a one-month period. One or more major problems, breakage, slippage, leakage or a combination of these, occurred in 410 (10.9%) events, involving 217 (40.2%) clients. Breakage occurred in 209 (5.6%) events and slippage in 243 (6.5%). Leakage was almost always associated with breakage or slippage. There was a small group of accident prone clients. Breakage was more common in younger and inexperienced clients and in those who had previously experienced breakage. There were some differences in breakage rates between brands of condoms. Poor fitting condoms and non-spermicidal condoms were associated with more breaks. Other contributing factors included vigorous sex, dryness and tearing with fingernails. Additional lubrication did not protect from breaks and saliva was associated with more breaks than expected. Oil-based lubricants were associated with less breaks than expected. On many occasions (66.0%), clients were aware of the break before ejaculation occurred. Slippage was more common in the inexperienced and in those who had previously experienced slippage. There was no association between brand of condom and slippage but poor fitting condoms were associated with more slips. The most common reason for slippage was the condom being left on too long. Additional lubrication did not affect slippage.