AmfAR Issue Brief Analyzes Effectiveness of Male, Female Condoms in Preventing HIV Transmission

• "The Effectiveness of Condoms in Preventing HIV Transmission," American Foundation for AIDS Research: The foundation's January issue brief analyzes the effectiveness of male and female condoms in preventing the transmission and HIV and finds that when used consistently and correctly, male condoms are 80% to 95% effective in reducing the risk of infection, while female condoms are 94% to 97% effective in reducing risk. The brief concludes that the "scientific evidence does not support" recent governmental policy changes that "stres[s]" a lack of condom efficacy in preventing HIV transmission, as both male and female condoms are "highly effective" -- especially when used in a comprehensive prevention program -- in preventing infection (amfAR Issue Brief, January 2005).