EVALUATION OF A THICKER CONDOM FOR USE AS A PROPHYLACTIC AGAINST HIV TRANSMISSION

In an evaluation of the breakage rate of a thicker condom when used fo r anal intercourse, one hundred and eight gay men volunteered to use c ondoms which were 30% thicker than standard condoms. Of the 772 condom s used, 14 broke during anal sex, representing a breakage rate of 1.8% . When one subject was removed from the sample because of inappropriat e use of the condom, the overall breakage rate was 1.6%. This compares favorably with the breakage rates reported for condom use during anal sex in other investigations, and is similar to the breakage rate for condom use during vaginal intercourse.