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Condoms and Family Planning: 20 Essential Resources


Why we created a collection on condoms and family planning

As recent-day family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) efforts place greater emphasis on innovation, it is important to remember the value of evidence-based family planning tools that have been effective for decades. Since the physical properties of condoms have not undergone substantial change, many people may forget the power of condoms as a family planning tool. This collection was created as a reminder to all of us working in family planning that some methods remain relevant even as innovations arise in FP/RH.

Condoms also play an important role as the only method in existence that offers triple protection from unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV infection. Among adolescents and youth populations, condoms may be the only affordable method of protection and data show that they continue to be of value to youth. In many regions around the world, youth are the largest proportion of the population, so it is important to invest in methods used by young people.

Finally, humanitarian crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to impact supply and distribution of FP/RH commodities and information. The promotion of updated and relevant information on condoms and family planning is necessary now more than ever.

20 Essential Resources Condoms and Family Planning

How we chose the resources

This collection began with a series of informational interviews with colleagues knowledgeable about condoms and family planning within FHI 360 and with Bidia Deperthes, Sexual Health Team Lead and HIV Prevention Advisor at UNFPA. The interviews led to several relevant resources and then our team conducted a broader internet scan for any additional resources including those from behavior change and commodities databases and through partners, such as Population Services International (PSI). These resources were reviewed by colleagues at FHI 360, Contraceptive Technology Initiative (CTI), PSI, Male Contraceptive Initiative, and UNFPA. To be included in this collection, a resource must be:

  • open-access
  • produced within the last five years with the exception of a few seminal pieces
  • considered foundational for program managers, technical advisers, decision-makers, or conveners in FP/RH seeking to learn more about various dimensions of condom-related programming and evidence
  • global or regional/country-specific with lessons that can be applied in other contexts

What is included in this collection?

This collection includes resources categorized into the following four resource types:

  • Introductory Resources (10 resources)
  • Evidence & Impact (4 resources)
  • Program Examples (4 resources)
  • Training (2 resources)

The resources in each type cover topics ranging from condom use, evidence-based condom program management and advocacy, condom market approaches and assessments, procurement standards, to program results within case studies.

Each entry comes with a short summary and statement on why it is essential. We hope you find these resources informative for your work.

Kirsten Krueger

Research Utilization Technical Advisor, FHI 360

Kirsten Krueger is a Research Utilization Technical Advisor for the Global Health, Population and Nutrition Group at FHI 360. She specializes in designing and conducting evidence utilization activities globally and in the Africa region to accelerate adoption of evidence-based practices through close partnerships with donors, researchers, health policy makers, and program managers. Her areas of expertise include family planning/reproductive health, community-based access to injectable contraception, policy change and advocacy, and capacity building.

Reana Thomas

Technical Officer, Global Health, Population and Nutrition, FHI 360

Reana Thomas, MPH, is a Technical Officer in the Global Health, Population, and Research department at FHI 360. In her role, she contributes to project development and design and knowledge management and dissemination. Her areas of specialization include research utilization, equity, gender, and youth health and development.

Hannah Webster

Technical Officer, FHI 360

Hannah Webster, MPH, is a Technical Officer in the Global Health, Population, and Research department at FHI 360. In her role, she contributes to project operations, technical communication and knowledge management. Her areas of specialization include public health, research utilization, equity, gender and sexual and reproductive health.