Myths, Stigma, Barriers: Report Answers Why India Ranks Low on Condoms Usage

To harness youth and ensure their health and well-being, Condom Alliance – a shared value collective of condom market players and other stakeholders to improve the well-being of young people in India, launched India’s first ever Condomology report. A nation with 50 per cent of population under the age of 24 and 65 per cent below the age of 35 years of age, 78 per cent of young male between the age of 20-24 did not use a contraceptive with their last sexual partner- according to National Family Health Survey – 4, indicating the need to urgently address an imminent crisis in reproductive and sexual health. Only 3 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively, always used a condom, according to study titled “Condom Use Before Marriage and Its Correlates: Evidence from India” conducted by the Population Council in 2011. The condom market has only witnessed a 2 per cent CAGR in volume, in the past few years despite the campaigns led by government bodies and other institutions to encourage the use of contraceptives Globally the numbers of women relying on male condoms increased from 64 million to 189 million from 1994 to 2019 Unlike the rest of the world, condom usage remains extremely low at 5.6 per cent based on the NFHS 4. The report attempts to demystify the social and psychological reasons that create a barrier for use through the following key questions: “Why do I need a condom?” — The lack of awareness about the rather serious and grim repercussions “Is using a condom the right decision?” — Myths and misconceptions related to use “How do I procure a condom?” — The barriers faced in the last mile Ravi Bhatnagar, member of Condom Alliance and Reckitt Director of External Affairs and Partnerships in Asia, the Middle East, and South Africa, further added: “The report calls to all key stakeholders to take stock of the situation and respond in a concerted manner to bring about the necessary behaviour change.