Promoting Female Condoms in Salons is Great But Don't Forget Non-Sexual Transmission!

Some people like to depict vaginal microbicides as being in the control of women, unlike male condoms and other methods of reducing HIV transmission. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP, the use of antiretroviral drugs by HIV negative people to reduce probability of infection) can also be depicted this way.

However, it is interesting to hear what many people say about contraceptive pills. Most women in East Africa opt for injectible versions of hormonal contraceptives because they say their husband or partner will not allow them to take the pills if they know they are contraceptives.

But if concerned people are interested in female controlled HIV prophylaxis and contraceptives, perhaps they should take a look at female condoms, a simple enough technology that has been available for over 20 years. They are not 100% female controlled, but they are another arrow in the quiver.

Whatever the HIV industry's feelings about female condoms, they are rarely discussed. And while male condoms are often discussed, the issue of women not necessarily having much control over the use of male condoms constantly arises.

Perhaps it's time to take another look at female condoms. There is convincing evidence that they would make an excellent complement to current HIV prevention programs. Maybe those expressing an aversion just don't know enough about them. I have asked a number of people and the ones who express an aversion, all of them, have never used female condoms. (Similarly, those who said male condoms sometimes burst have either said it never happened to them or it happened once or twice).

Apparently there is a program in Zimbabwe which aims to promote the female condom through hairdressing salons. This is a great venue for promoting knowledge of HIV transmission because so many women go to them and because hairdressers themselves need to know a lot more about HIV transmission than they currently do.

For example, most people who have been lectured, sorry, advised about HIV transmission have been told about sexual transmission, mother to child transmission and possibly something about intravenous drug use. Less likely, they'll have heard about transmission through blood transfusions.

It is unlikely they will have heard much about other forms of medical transmission, such as through the reuse of poorly sterilized equipment, such as injecting equipment, IV lines, dental equipment, etc, although such knowledge could reduce this kind of infection.

It is also unlikely they will have heard about the possibility of HIV transmission through unsafe cosmetic practices, such as tattoos, ear piercing, shaving (where cuts and abraisions can occur), hair straightening (where the relaxants can cause burning) and other practices.

Apparently PSI (Population Services International) is running the program, which makes it unlikely they will mention much beyond sexual transmission of HIV, but there is hope. And it's good to hear that they are promoting female condoms, it's time someone did.