CARNAL NATION

BBC reports that condoms are now as popular as the birth control pill as the contraception of choice for women in the United Kingdom. The Office for National Statistics reports that one quarter of women under the age of fifty use condoms which is equal to the number who use oral contraceptives as their method of birth control. The findings represent a step ahead for promoting sexual health, as condoms reduce the risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission.

Victoria Sheard of the HIV and sexual health charity, Terrence Higgins Trust explains the benefits of condoms: "An increase in condom use is very good news as they offer double protection - against sexually transmitted infections as well as unwanted pregnancy. People should be aware of the rising rates of STIs when making a decision about contraception - ditching the condoms could leave you and potentially your partner at risk."

Nearly half of condom users cited concerns over STIs as motivation for their use and 50 percent of the 2557 contributors reported that they received most of their information about STIs from television and advertisements. However, more than half of the men in the study who were not in long-term relationships, but were sexually active in the past year said that information about STIs and HIV did not influence their sexual behaviour.

Of the 1093 women surveyed, 75 percent were using some form of birth control with younger women preferring the pill and condoms and older women relying on surgical methods like tubal ligation and vasectomy. Women’s knowledge of emergency contraceptive pills was high, but only 40% were aware of the use of the interuterine device (IUD), which can be inserted up to five days after intercourse as a means of emergency birth control. This represents a decline of 9 percent in comparison to IUD knowledge statistics from 2001.

Research also indicates that the use of community contraception clinics is on the rise, particularly among men. The National Health Service information centre reported that the number of people using contraception clinics in 2009 has increased by 7 percent to 1.3 million in the year to March 2009 and male clients have increased by 13 percent to a total of 140 000.

Natika Halil of the Family Planning Association is encouraged by the increase in access to information and services in contraceptive and sexual health, but cautions, “There are 15 methods of contraception available. Women should be able to access all of them in equal measure."

For more information about contraceptive choices check out the websites of National Health Service, Planned Parenthood or Sexuality and U.