In the UK, the safe sex and wear a condom message has been drummed into successive generations of young people, particularly since the early 1980s and the start of the AIDS/HIV crisis. The safe sex message is central to sexual health education targeted at all ages.
Free condoms are available in clubs and bars, from contraceptive clinics and GP surgeries. All different types can be bought over the counter in pharmacies and supermarkets. And the easy availability of condoms reinforces the message that using a condom is the only method of contraception that will protect you and your partner against both unwanted pregnancy but, crucially, against sexually-transmitted diseases (STIs) such as chlamydia, HIV and herpes.
However, the high visibility of condoms in everyday life in the UK is not mirrored in other nations. For example, in India, there are few, if any, condom machines in bars and clubs. Women are still taking the bulk of the responsibility for buying condoms, according to surveys, with men seemingly too embarrassed to be seen buying such simple but effective protection.
Meanwhile, the message that using condoms will protect you against STIs doesn’t appear to have got through completely to Indian society with most people still associating condoms only with preventing pregnancy.
To change attitudes, perception and behaviour, condom awareness campaigns have become prevalent in recent years, promoting the message that using a condom is the best method of protection against the spread of STIs. Change may be slow but progress can be made so talking about sex no longer elicits a feeling of embarrassment.