PROSPECTS FOR INCREASED CONDOM USE WITHIN MARRIAGE IN THAILAND

The transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from infect ed husbands to their wives is now an important component of the AIDS e pidemic in Thailand. Although the value of condoms in reducing the spr ead of HIV is well-known among Thai men and women, the rate of condom use for contraception among married couples has never exceeded 2%. Foc us groups and individual interviews with both urban and provincial Tha i men and women reveal a number of formidable barriers to increasing t he rate of marital condom use: Condoms are widely perceived as interfe ring with male sexual pleasure, and they are primarily considered to b e a prophylactic for use with prostitutes. The potential for increasin g the use of condoms as a method of marital contraception appears limi ted, as highly effective alternatives are widely available. Thus, cond oms will need to be promoted directly as a prophylactic. Findings sugg est that general promotion of condoms for use during extramarital sex, together with advocacy of voluntary HIV testing for individuals at hi gh risk of infection and counseling for those testing positive, are pr actical recommendations.