CONDOM USE AMONG FEMALE COMMERCIAL SEX WORKERS IN NEVADAS LEGAL BROTHELS

Objectives. The purpose of this Study was to evaluate condom use and t he incidence of breakage and slippage during vaginal intercourse among female prostitutes in legal Nevada brothels, where use of condoms is required by law. Methods. Forty-one licensed prostitutes in three brot hels were enrolled in a prospective trial in August 1993. Used condoms were collected to verify reported breaks visually. Retrospective brea kage and slippage rates were obtained in a standardized interview. Res ults. Condoms were used for every act of vaginal intercourse with a br othel client during the study period, as well as ill the previous year . In the prospective study phase, condoms were used in 353 acts of vag inal intercourse with clients, No condoms broke, and none fell off the penis during intercourse. Only twice (0.6%) did condoms completely fa ll off during withdrawal. Twelve times (3.4%) during intercourse and 1 5 times (4.3%) during withdrawal, condoms slipped down the penis but d id not fall off. Conclusions. These findings, among the lowest breakag e and slippage rates published, suggest that regular condom use may le ad to condom mastery and the development of techniques to reduce the l ikelihood of breakage and slippage.