HC Deb 08 July 2003 vol 408 cc769-70W
Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned on the likelihood of passing on the AIDS virus through sexual intercourse while wearing a condom; and if he will make a statement. [123978]

Miss Melanie Johnson

[holding answer 7 July 2003]: High quality, systematic review of the evidence relating to condom effectiveness has shown that consistent use of condoms is highly effective in preventing transmission of HIV1. On the strength of this evidence we have not felt it necessary to commission additional research. We do recognise, however, that factors such as condom failure mean that condoms do not provide 100 per cent. protection from infection, but when used correctly, they can substantially reduce the risk. Advice on the effective use of condoms is, therefore, provided through our national sexual health promotion and HIV prevention activities. 1 Weller S. Davis K. Condom effectiveness in reducing heterosexual HIV transmission (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2003. Oxford: Update Software; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Workshop Summary: Scientific Evidence on Condom Effectiveness for Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Prevention. July 20, 2001—http://www. niaid.nih.gov/dmid/stds/condomreport.pdf