AmfAR issues brief on condom effectiveness

The American Foundation for AIDS Research has released an issue brief on the effectiveness of male and female condoms in preventing HIV transmissions. The report finds that when male condoms are used consistently and correctly, they are 80% to 95% effective in reducing the risk of HIV infection. Female condoms are an estimated 94% to 97% effective in reducing HIV infection risk when used consistently and correctly. The brief concludes that because both male and female condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV transmissions, scientific evidence does not support U.S. government policy changes that stress a "lack of condom efficacy" in preventing the spread of the virus.