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by Martin Flynn
employers attending this important event showing that there is great interest and strong support for the need to address HIV as a workplace issue."
page 5 of 8
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Are normal condoms as safe as thick ones?
A heated debate raged at a Gay Men Fighting Aids (GMFA) meeting last
month, about whether to start promoting standard strength condoms - as
opposed to extra-strong ones - for gay men, reports Laurence Gibson.
Despite a report two years ago - which concluded there was no difference
in the failure rates between thicker and standard condoms - there is still
lively dissent as to whether it is 'safe' to begin a press campaign saying
so.
Mark Maguire, of Camden Primary Care Trust (PCT), said it was sensible
to continue advocating the use of thicker condoms for anal sex. He questioned
the report's validity and findings and claimed the research, "doesn't
tell us the whole story."
However, GMFA's Matthew Hodson said: "Mark did not present any convincing
arguments as to why we shouldn't start promoting the use of normal condoms."
"The best advice we can give is to simply use any kite-marked condom,"
he continued.
Two other speakers were Richard Harding, co-author of the report, and
Allan Hildon, from Basildon PCT. Both said that condom failure is due
largely to the size of the condom and insufficient lubrication.
Hildon said: "Cost and access to condoms are more important than the width of the material they are made from in the prevention of HIV."
