|
pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: This cross-sectional and longitudinal study examines the overall effectiveness of condoms in reducing heterosexual transmission of HIV. Data on condom usage and HIV serology was obtained from 25 published studies of serodiscordant heterosexual couples. Condom usage was rated as ¿always¿ (in 100% of acts of intercourse), ¿sometimes¿ (1-99%, 0-99%, or 1-100%), or ¿never¿ (0%). Studies were stratified by design, direction of transmission and condom usage group. Condom efficacy was calculated from the HIV transmission rates for always-users and never-users. Results showed that 12 cohort samples gave a consistent HIV incidence of 0.9 per 100 person-years. For 11 cohort samples of never-users, incidence was estimated at 6.8 per 100 person-years for male-to-female transmission and 5.9 per 100 for female-to-male transmission. Overall, the condom's effectiveness at preventing HIV transmission is estimated to be 87%, but it may vary between 60% and 96%.
|
