Hindustan Latex Limited has entered into an agreement with Female Health Company (FHC), UK for the manufacturing and marketing of female condom in India. The collaboration is to increase access to and use of the product for improved sexual and reproductive health throughout the developing world.
The acceptability of the Female Condom has been studied in more than 30 countries, including sub-Saharan countries, stated a company release. The company had conducted an acceptability study on female condom usage in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra amongst three sets of target groups, namely, female sex workers, homosexuals and married couples. The study showed very encouraging response across three categories and they felt female condoms to be more effective, reliable and strong as compared to male condom.
While female condom was initially approved as a contraceptive method, it has increasingly been promoted for disease prevention. While the imperative to prevent STDs and HIV infection is clear, it is also important to develop dual protection messages within the context of condom promotion.
The national launch of the product was carried out in New Delhi on February 13, 2004.