IN THE NEWS

AGI reports on select research and policy analysis recently released by other organizations.

Valentine’s Day Kicks off National Condom Week

February 16, 2005

It’s national condom week, a five-day celebration of the effectiveness of the condom in preventing unintended pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). At a time when condom effectiveness and comprehensive sex education are under attack in the United States, public health experts this week emphasize the importance of the condom in both HIV prevention and the reduction of unintended pregnancy.

• A 2001 report from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded that condoms are effective in stopping the transmission of HIV as well as other STDs.

• When used correctly, the condom is 97% effective in preventing unintended pregnancy.

"In 2003, almost 5 million people worldwide were infected with HIV. And in the United States alone more than 3 million unintended pregnancies occur every year," said Sharon L. Camp, president & CEO of The Alan Guttmacher Institute. "The condom is a critical weapon in the fight for sexual and reproductive health."

To read about the NIH report on condom effectiveness

For more information on contraceptive use click here.

For more information on HIV prevention

For information about abstinence here.

For information about monogamy

For information about condom use