Implementing Comprehensive HIV/STI Programmes with Sex Workers Implementing Comprehensive HIV/STI Programmes with | Page 101

4 Condom and Lubricant Programming

4.2 Steps in effective condom programming
Strategic partnerships among all main partners are essential to improve access to, and use of,
condoms to prevent or reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancies, STIs and HIV. Partners include
sex worker-led organizations, NGOs, the ministry of health or national AIDS programme, department
of reproductive health, United Nations agencies, the private sector, social marketing organizations,
donor agencies and law enforcement ministries.
At the central management level, the national HIV and AIDS programme, national governments,
and national-level civil society organizations have important roles to play in condom and lubricant
procurement and supply, national-level condom and lubricant promotion, and creating an enabling
environment for condom programming. Local implementing organizations5 (including social marketing
organizations) and health clinics play essential roles in commodity forecasting, distribution, communityled promotional strategies and advocating for an enabling environment for condom programming
at the local level. These roles are outlined in Table 4.1 as well as in Section 4.3, Figure 4.1, where
additional information on the various levels of planning and execution of strong partnerships for
condom programming is provided.
Table 4.1 Implementation of high-quality condom programming with sex workers
Activity
Establishing
accessible
male and
female condom
and lubricant
supplies for sex
workers

Role of national HIV and AIDS programme
and national implementing organizations

Role of local implementing organizations,
local government and health clinics

• Carry out accurate forecasting of
condom and lubricant supply needs.

• Conduct forecasting of condom and
lubricant needs to inform national
forecasts, led by NGOs/communitybased organizations (CBOs)/
community-led organizations.

• Conduct market research to understand
sex workers’ condom preferences
including sizes, colours, flavours, etc.

• Provide input into market research and
procurement planning processes at the
national/central level.

• Define the procurement plan and
funding source; ensure sufficient
funding is available for needed orders.
• Place condom and lubricant orders
on a timely basis, securing an
uninterrupted supply of products that:

• Map the potential distribution outlets
in the community for condom and
lubricant distribution.6

1. Meet World Health Organization
(WHO) recommendations

• Assess the size and quality of the
distribution outlets (existing and new)
to ensure that condoms and lubricants
are stored in optimum conditions to
avoid deterioration over time.

2. Respond to community needs for
variety and comfort.

5 An implementing organization is an organization delivering a prevention intervention to sex workers. It may be a governmental, nongovernmental, community-based
or community-led organization, and may work at a state, district or local level. Sometimes an NGO provides services through sub-units at multiple locations within an
urban area, and in this case, each of those sub-units may also be considered an implementing organization.
6 See Chapter 3, Section 3.2.2, part A for an example of how to carry out mapping of condom distribution outlets and other outreach services.

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