title: The free condom initiative: promoting condom availability and use in New York City.
abstract: In 2005, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) made free condoms available to organizations through a Web-based ordering system. In 2006, we interviewed managers and patrons about free condom availability, acquisition, and use in venues where people at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus congregate. DOHMH condom distribution increased from 5.8 million in 2004 to 17.3 million in 2006. Overall, managers reported making condoms available at 76% (309/409) of high-priority venues, but only at 40% of gay bars. Among patrons who saw free condoms, 80% (280/351) reported taking them; 73% (205/280) of those who reported taking them also reported using them. A simple, Web-based ordering system dramatically increased condom distribution. In the venues we sampled, the majority of patrons acquired and used free condoms when available and visible, suggesting that increasing free condom availability may increase use. Special efforts are needed to ensure availability at gay bars.
authors.affiliation: Bureau of HIV Prevention and Control, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY 10013, USA. trenaud@health.nyc.gov
authors.forename: Tamar C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Renaud
authors.forename: Angelica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bocour
authors.forename: Mary K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Irvine
authors.forename: Kyle T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Begier
authors.forename: Kent A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Sepkowitz
authors.forename: Scott E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kellerman
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Weglein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D035862:Vulnerable Populations; D055815:Young Adult