The British Red Cross has urged more to be done to address the global shortage of condoms particularly in countries devastated by HIV.

The number of condoms would need to be doubled to meet demand according to the largest public-sector purchaser of male condoms, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which has called for a threefold increase in funding for public sector condoms and their distribution.The British Red Cross invests at least £1 million annually in its HIV programmes abroad, which includes distributing and promoting millions of condoms through the vast network of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers working in HIV-ravaged countries from South Africa to India.

Correct and consistent condom use significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission.

Alyson Lewis, British Red Cross HIV advisor

More than 30 million people are estimated to have died as a result of AIDS and as many as 40 million are living with the virus.

Alyson Lewis, British Red Cross HIV advisor said: "Conclusive evidence from extensive research shows that correct and consistent condom use significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission. In the face of such a devastating pandemic and with such a simple means of prevention, it is unbelievable there is such a huge gap in supply of condoms.

"The British Red Cross purchases good quality condoms from reputable suppliers in-country. They are then distributed through frequent awareness campaigns that explain how HIV can be prevented and encourage people to practice safer sex."

Awareness

In Nigeria, for example, where the British Red Cross has been supporting HIV programmes, awareness campaigns are often large public events.

On St Valentines Day last year, a Nigerian Red Cross youth theatre group from Akwa Ibom state put on a show at the beach to an audience of fishermen and their families.

Asukwo Etuk from the Nigerian Red Cross said: "HIV prevalence is very high among the fishing community – the idea was to have fun and improve awareness of AIDS. It was a great success," he said.Condoms are also distributed by Red Cross volunteers and staff who care for people living with HIV in their homes. Youth peer educators discuss HIV transmission to school-children and do condom demonstrations but they don't distribute condoms.

"We aim to ensure young people have a greater understanding of HIV through discussing behaviour change and how they can protect themselves," Alyson said.

Gender

However, it is still an uphill battle persuading people to use condoms due to complex gender and cultural factors. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), only 4.9 per cent of married women of reproductive age use condoms.

Alyson added: "Certainly the purchase and distribution of condoms are key factors in making condoms universally available, but equally important is education and promotion to tackle many other issues such as stigma and gender inequalities which leave women in particular very vulnerable to the virus."