Comprehensive Condom Programming Framework

This framework links barriers to demand for condoms with supply issues and targeted marketing strategies. The framework also stresses the need for strong programme management, linkages, and integration with other services, monitoring and evaluation, and the need for quality service delivery.

Framework:

Leadership and coordination (at global, regional, national and community levels)

• advocacy and policy dialogue for political awareness, government ownership, and commitment so as to reduce barriers to male and female condom access and use including ignorance and stigma
• resource mobilisation for adequate human, financial, and technical resources
• capacity building and institutional strengthening including national regulatory authorities

Demand

• social, sexual, behavioral, operations, and epidemiological research to develop a strong evidence base and to guide programme development including more effective policies and intervention design
• market research to understand consumer needs and wants for targeted condom promotion and distribution via public, private, and non-governmental organisation (NGO) channels, and client-centered traditional and non-traditional outlets
• information, education, and communication (IEC) including mass media campaigns and interpersonal approaches to raise awareness concerning HIV/AIDS and the importance of behaviour change such as partner reduction

Supply

• social marketing programmes to create demand and expand access to attractive and affordable condoms via commercial channels and outlets
• community-based distribution approaches to reach poor and hard-to-reach rural areas
• strengthened public sector capacity to address the needs of individuals not served by private and social marketing approaches
• logistics management (including product selection, quality procurement according to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards and the World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) specification, quality assurance during receipt, storage, distribution, and consumer feedback mechanisms)

Support

• programme management including needs assessment, strategic planning, technical cooperation, sustainability, effective coordination mechanisms at all levels, and training to strength human resources
• links to or integration with other programme strategies including voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT), sexually transmitted infection (STI) treatment, antiretroviral (ARV) treatment programmes, and maternal and child health (MCH) and family planning to enhance breadth and depth of reach while improving sustainability
• monitoring and evaluation as part of the "Three Ones" (see source for more info)
• service delivery and quality of care

The same comprehensive programming framework can apply to the provision of contraceptives as a key aspect of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The same components are needed for strong programming - beginning with leadership and coordination to ensure strong policies that integrate contraceptives into HIV prevention, to provide adequate resources for contraceptive provision, and to enhance capacity for policy and programme implementation. Determining the demand and ensuring supply of contraceptives are vital, and programmes must be supported by strong management, links with other programmes, monitoring and evaluation, and high quality services.