Are condoms the answer to rising rates of non-HIV sexually transmitted infections? Yes

This short article in the British Medical Journal argues that condoms are the answer to reducing other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms can and should play a central role in halting the rising rates of STIs other than HIV. The authors argue that strong evidence from laboratory studies and mounting evidence from clinical studies shows that condoms effectively reduce the risk of transmission. Two recent reviews are discussed which show that behavioural interventions featuring condom promotion are associated with increases in reported condom use and, to a lesser extent, decreases in the incidence of STIs.

The article outlines how condoms reduce the risk of infections that are transmitted primarily to or from the penile urethra such as HIV, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and hepatitis B. In addition they highlight how, although clinical studies have shown inconsistent protective effects for most STIs other than HIV, much of this can be attributed to limitations in study design.