Condoms
Ed Adrian Mindel
BMJ Books, £19.95, pp 240
ISBN 0 7279 1267 4
Rating: 3/4
In 1736 the French venereologist Jean
Astruc condemned English libertines'
use of animal membrane condoms.
"Surely it is far better," he said, "to partake
the pleasures of venery with permission and
safety, than to make use of so filthy and nasty
an invention." While such prejudice may
remain widespread, I hope that health
professionals would now disagree.
Condoms are a reliable contraception
that can be used independently of medical
input or advice and are an effective barrier
against sexually transmitted infections. Up
to 10 billion a year are used worldwide.
Despite this, the global number of sexually
transmitted infections is estimated to be in
excess of 150 million, in addition to about
50 million abortions and 30 million
unintended pregnancies.
This paperback seeks to promote condom use by providing an accessible and
comprehensive literature review. The 19
contributors are mostly international
experts who have published widely. The 14
chapters are independent, but repetition is
minimal. The editor has achieved a consistent and readable style, incorporating both
summaries of evidence and visions of future
prospects and challenges.
One chapter provides a fascinating
historical overview, and others deal with the
effectiveness of condoms against conception
and infection and research on condom use,
including the factors influencing their use,
availability, and accessibility. More specialised topics include use of condoms in
commercial and anal sex, spermicides, and
female and nonlatex condoms.
There is no clear description of the
process of literature search and critical
appraisal underpinning the evidence presented, which will disappoint those seeking
more systematic reviews. However, such an
approach might have made the book less
accessible to nonexperts, and for some topics this kind of search would have been
impractical.
Condoms has the answers to many
questions posed and pondered by patients
and professionals, including some fascinating ones that you have probably never
thought of.
Mark Gabbay, senior lecturer in general practice, University of Liverpool
studentBMJ 2001;09:217-260 July ISSN 0966-6494
