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Answer to Case Study #4:Explain to Hope that condoms are the only method that provides significant protection against HIV and other STIs, yet historically they have not always been regarded highly as a method of pregnancy prevention. This is not true, however. When condoms are used consistently and correctly for one year, only three out of 100 couples who use condoms experience a pregnancy during that year. The success of condoms in terms of preventing pregnancy and infection depends on the people using them: people must use condoms correctly every time they have sex. Most condom failure is due to incorrect usage, not due to flaws in the product itself. Therefore, it is essential to teach clients how to use condoms correctly. Acknowledge that professional and personal biases against condoms may interfere with our ability to promote condoms to clients. From a professional perspective, we may be skeptical about clients’ willingness or ability to use condoms, or we may fear that they may be offended by the recommendation to use condoms. From a personal point of view, we may have our own negative feelings about condom use based on experience or because we are members of societies that in general look upon condoms unfavorably. As such, it is important for us to identify and address our own biases so that we can be objective when discussing condom use with clients. Make sure that Hope can address these concerns with clients, who may share similar biases. Recommend that Hope spend some time handling and playing with condoms, stretching them, blowing them up, and filling them with water to assure herself that they are strong. Have her practice doing demonstrations on how to use condoms correctly on a penis model. Discuss with her ways to make condoms more erotic and appealing by, for example, suggesting that clients put condoms on their partners as a part of sex play. If female condoms are available in your area, make sure that Hope knows both how to discuss them with clients and how to demonstrate their use. Make sure that she feels comfortable and confident encouraging clients to use them and talking about issues related to sexuality. If possible, organize in-service
training for the entire staff to address these difficult issues and to
promote understanding of the importance of dual protection.
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