Condom use in China: prevalence, policies, issues and barriers
Huachun Zou A D , Hui Xue B , Xiaofang Wang B and Damien Lu C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Sexual Health Unit, School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne, 580 Swanston Street, Carlton, Vic. 3053, Australia.
B National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 155 Changbai Street, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China.
C Aibai Cultural and Education Center, 1347 N. Vista Street, #111, Los Angeles, CA 90046, USA.
D Corresponding author. Email: rolfe1234@gmail.com
Sexual Health 9(1) 27-33 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH11021
Submitted: 10 February 2011 Accepted: 15 July 2011 Published: 21 October 2011
Abstract
In this review, we describe condom use and its influencing factors in China, with a particular focus on the five populations that are at high risk for HIV/sexually transmissible infections (STI) infection: female sex workers, men who have sex with men, migrant workers, young people and sero-discordant couples. The risk for HIV/STI infection is high while condom use rates are low among these five populations. The 100% Condom Use Programme was successful in trial regions in increasing condom use and decreasing HIV/STI prevalence; however, long-term and routine condom promotion strategies should be in place to ensure better awareness of condom use, high availability of condoms and high rate of condom use among populations at high risk of HIV/STI infection in China. Realistic and vigorous condom-related policies and action plans should be developed and implemented to address the issues and barriers facing condom promotion in China.
Additional keywords: HIV, high risk behaviour, sexually transmissible infection.
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