In its drive against HIV/AIDS, the Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) will introduce female condoms in the four districts of Guntur, East Godavari, Krishna and Hyderabad by the end of March. The female condom is being imported by Hindustan Latex Ltd (HLL), the public sector condom manufacturing company, from the London-based Female Health Company. The condoms will be marketed through the Andhra Pradesh Social Marketing Programme.

The female contraception programme follows successful conclusion of a pilot project run in the four districts last year. Over 600 of these condoms were supplied to female sex workers by HLL and the contraceptive had high level of acceptance.

The enlarged programme, to be introduced after clearance from the Drugs Controller-General of India, will target commercial sex workers in these districts. According to APSACS project director K Damayanti, 10 lakh female contraceptives will be marketed this year. The Society also proposes to market these condoms through popular stores and other outlets in these four districts. If the response to the condom is good, the Social Marketing Programme will be extended to other districts in the state.

Female condom is a soft loose-fitting plastic pouch made of polyurethane (not latex) that lines the vagina. It has a semi-stiff plastic ring at each end. The inner ring is used to insert the device inside the vagina and hold it in place. The outer ring partly covers the labia area and holds the condom open.

Damayanti said the female condom was not being marketed as a substitute to the male version. The contraceptive gives the female the option to have safe sex even if the male refuses to use the condom. In any case, it should not be considered a substitute, the APSACS official said.

In the case of commercial sex workers, about 80 per cent of the customers agree to use the condom, while in the remaining cases, the female condom will ensure women have the option of indulging in safe sex, Damayanti said. The price of the female condom, compared to the male version, is very high. The imported condom to be used under the Social Marketing Programme will cost Rs 20-25. The price factor may play a decisive role in selecting the contraceptive.