The National
Family Planning Programme of
India had introduced
condom as one of the
family planning methods in the late1960s.
Condom was promoted as a
family planning method through
social marketing since its inception. With the increasing
prevalence and
incidence of
sexually transmitted infections (
STIs) including
HIV/
AIDS,
condom was also promoted as a dual
method for
protection against both
unintended pregnancies as well as
sexually transmitted infections. Despite efforts at various levels, the overall use of
condom among
couples in
India is low. Here we present
literature review of studies to understand the
condom acceptability among
couples in
India. Specifically, the
paper assesses
research and programmes that have been carried out to increase the use of
condom among
couples; determinants of
condom use; reason for not using
condom; and
perception versus experience of
condom failure. The reported problems related to
condom use included non acceptance by partner, perceived ineffectiveness, less comfort, lack of
sexual satisfaction,
husband’s alcohol use,
depression, and
anxiety, and not available at that instant. The
role of media in the promotion of
condom use was indicated as an important way to increase
awareness and use. Multiple
strategies would help in acceptance of
male condom.