title: Lot quality assurance sampling for monitoring coverage and quality of a targeted condom social marketing programme in traditional and non-traditional outlets in India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study reports on the results of a large-scale targeted condom social marketing campaign in and around areas where female sex workers are present. The paper also describes the method that was used for the routine monitoring of condom availability in these sites.
  
  
  METHODS
  The lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) method was used for the assessment of the geographical coverage and quality of coverage of condoms in target areas in four states and along selected national highways in India, as part of Avahan, the India AIDS initiative.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant general increase in condom availability was observed in the intervention area between 2005 and 2008. High coverage rates were gradually achieved through an extensive network of pharmacies and particularly of non-traditional outlets, whereas traditional outlets were instrumental in providing large volumes of condoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LQAS is seen as a valuable tool for the routine monitoring of the geographical coverage and of the quality of delivery systems of condoms and of health products and services in general. With a relatively small sample size, easy data collection procedures and simple analytical methods, it was possible to inform decision-makers regularly on progress towards coverage targets.
authors.affiliation: Population Services International, Research & Metrics Department, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Bram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Piot
authors.forename: Amajit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.forename: Deepa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Navin
authors.forename: Nattu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhardwaj
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Pritpal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marjara
mesh_terms: D003132:Commerce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D055810:Lot Quality Assurance Sampling / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D040241:Social Marketing