Community-based counselling service as a potential outlet for condom distribution

RESUMO

The objective was to assess the potential of a community-based counselling service as a means of increasing condom distribution. A counselling office was opened in a rural area of South West Uganda in 1989 to serve a sub-county with an adult population of approximately 15;000. In April 1993 the service was extended to four other offices and free condom distribution introduced on request. Records have been kept of the number of persons requesting condoms and the number of condoms distributed since October 1993. These records were reviewed. Results showed that total client attendances increased from about 80 a month in the first quarter of 1993 (before reorganisation) to over 400 in the same quarter two year later. Condom requests increased from about 30 a month in the first quarter of 1994 to approximately 80 in the same period of 1995. Number of condoms distributed increased from about 2;000 to nearly 7;000 a month. Those asking for condoms often claim to do so on behalf of their friends. There seems to be a reasonable demand for condoms in the community. Condom distribution embedded in a counselling service based in the community appears to be well accepted and effective