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Evidence summaries

Condom Effectiveness in Reducing Heterosexual HIV Transmission

Consistent use of condoms appears to result in 80% reduction in HIV incidence. Level of evidence: "B"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 14 cohort studies with a total of 587 always users and 276 never users. The cohorts of always users yielded an HIV incidence estimate of 1.14 (95% CI 0.56 to 2.04) per 100 person-years, and the cohorts of never users consisting mainly of studies of partners of hemophiliac and transfuion patients yielded an HIV incidence estimate of 5.75 per 100 person-years. The proportionate reduction in HIV seroconversion with condom use was approximately 80%.

Comment: The quality of evidence is upgraded by large magnitude of effect.

References

  • Weller S, Davis K. Condom effectiveness in reducing heterosexual HIV transmission. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002;(1):CD003255. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords