Availability of condoms in urban and rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background: Promoting condom use to prevent HIV transmission is futile if c ondoms are not readily available. Goal: This study assessed condom availability in clinics, shops, and other outlets in urban and rural South Africa. Study Design: Snowball sampling was used to select 70 private-sector and pu blic-sector outlets. One male and one female black fieldworker were posed a s clients seeking condoms to assess condom availability and provider attitu des. Results: Condoms were available in nine (100%) public clinics, in five of n ine (55%) private doctor's rooms, and in only 5 of 52 (10%) nonhealth outle ts. Access was limited in the public sector by clinic opening times, inadeq uate clinic signs and markings, and by some providers' attitudes. Conclusion: A major opportunity to make condoms available in nonhealth outl ets in rural areas and urban townships is being missed in South Africa. Abo ve all, the high level of condom awareness is not being matched by easy ava ilability.