Washington Times Examines ‘Condom Fatigue,’ Public Health Advocates’ Search for New HIV/AIDS Prevention Messages

Although most public health advocates say that condoms are "the best technology science has to offer" for preventing the transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, the "much-promoted" method is facing "condom fatigue," or "a general weariness of the safe-sex message," the Washington Times reports. Safe-sex advocates say that as condom usage among teenagers has risen over the past decade -- from 53% in 1993 to 58% in 2001 -- individuals' condom use falls as they age, with 68% of sexually active ninth graders using condoms in 2001, compared to 49% of sexually active 12th graders. "Getting people to think about their own personal health needs ... is always difficult, whether it's convincing people to wear a condom or convincing people to brush their teeth," Chicago Department of Public Health spokesperson Tim Hadac said. Condom promotion should not say "use this or die," but should be made part of everyday life, Stephen Mare, director of sales and marketing for Boston-based Global Protection Corp., a condom manufacturer and distributor, said (Wetzstein, Washington Times, 11/8). The full article is available online.