title: Does a choice of condoms impact sexually transmitted infection incidence? A randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to assess whether providing a choice of condoms would increase condom acceptability, increase self-reported use, and decrease incident sexually transmitted infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomized 414 men presenting with urethral discharge in Jamaica to receive either the "standard" clinic condom or a choice of 4 different types of condoms. Men were treated presumptively at enrollment and followed up at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants in the choice group had a strong preference (P <0.01) for the most popular condom available in Jamaica. This preference did not translate into higher condom use (P = 0.16). The 6-month cumulative probability of first incidence of gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis was slightly higher in the choice group (21%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 15-28%) versus the control group (17%; 95% CI, 11-23%); the difference in the survival curves was not significant (P = 0.35).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A choice of condoms may increase perceived acceptability but not lead to increased condom use and subsequently lower sexually transmitted infection rates.
authors.affiliation: Family Health International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27707, USA. msteiner@fhi.org
authors.forename: Markus J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hylton-Kong
authors.forename: J Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Figueroa
authors.forename: Marcia M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hobbs
authors.forename: Frieda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Behets
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smikle
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tweedy
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McNeil
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brathwaite
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017280:Condoms / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014245:Trichomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control