Annual number of condoms distributed

Export Indicator

Number of condoms distributed during the past 12 months
What it measures

This indicator is divided into two sub-indicators:

A. Number of male condoms distributed in the past 12 months.

B. Number of female condoms distributed in the past 12 months.

What it measures

Progress in scaling up distribution of male and female condoms.

Rationale

Condoms have been shown to be one of the most effective methods in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy, with effectiveness that increases with consistent and correct use. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS recommendations emphasize that condom distribution and promotion is an efficacious intervention and a critical component of combination HIV prevention.

Numerator

A. Number of male condoms distributed in the past 12 months.

B. Number of female condoms distributed in the past 12 months.

Denominator

A. Not applicable.

B. Not applicable.

Calculation

A. Not applicable.

B. Not applicable.

Method of measurement

Count of the number of male and female condoms that left the central or regional warehouses for onward distribution in the previous calendar year. Data should include condoms distributed for free (public providers), condoms sold at subsidized rates through social marketing (nongovernmental organizations as providers) and condoms sold through the commercial sector (private sector providers). There should be no double-counting of condoms in case of overlap. If condoms from public sector warehouses are given to nongovernmental organizations or community workers for distribution, condoms should be accounted for in the public sector.

Measurement frequency

Annual

Disaggregation
  • Provider (public, private, and nongovernmental organizations).
Strengths and weaknesses

A count of the number of condoms that have left the central or regional warehouses can provide useful information on the supply of condoms. Since condom use is only tracked through surveys every three to five years, it is important to monitor distribution closely to be able to track uptake of condoms in real time. Analyzing these data jointly with condom needs estimates can provide information on supply gaps. Countries can also use this indicator for comparing subnational distribution per male aged 15-64 years in order to understand inequities in supply and uptake. The indicator requires countries to aggregate and analyze data from different distribution channels, including the public or private sectors and social marketing, making this indicator critical for building a total market approach and exploring complementarity between different market segments.

Distribution from central or regional warehouses will not capture whether condoms are reaching facilities, are being distributed before expiry and are being used. To obtain more accurate information on uptake of condoms, countries should ideally track condom consumption, which is the number of condoms that left distribution points like health facilities, shops or community outreach teams. This is usually done through stock counts at each distribution point at the time of replacing supply. However, since such consumption data is not available in aggregated form in most countries, distribution from central and regional warehouses is recommended as a proxy indicator.

Further information

United Nations Population Fund, World Health Organization, UNAIDS. Position statement on condoms and the prevention of HIV, other sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. 2015 (https://hivpreventioncoalition.unaids.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Con...).

Condoms: the prevention of HIV, other sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. Geneva: UNAIDS; 2016 (https://hivpreventioncoalition.unaids.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/JC2...).

Related Indicators

PR.2 Condoms distributed, 2020, WHO Consolidated HIV strategic information guidelines: driving impact through programme monitoring and management (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/consolidated-hiv-strategic-information-guidelines).